The role of Leader of the Council in that regard was similar to that of the British prime minister; the post had not been explicitly created, but gradually emerged.
[3][4][5] The Local Government Act 2000 sought to strengthen public engagement with local democracy, and streamline the system of committees, introducing the models of directly elected mayors and cabinets, leaders and cabinets, as well as a third option for an elected mayor and council manager, which was only adopted by one authority and was later withdrawn.
The leader and cabinet are responsible for policies, plans, and strategies,[8] which must be within the budget adopted by the full council.
These will be reported to the overall "full" council, which is convened to bring together all elected members of the authority at regular meetings.
One or more overview and scrutiny committees holds the cabinet to account for its decisions and is responsible that the democratic checks and balances are maintained.
In addition, the compliance of councillors with their code of conduct may be overseen by a standards committee, although since the coming into effect of the Localism Act 2011 this can be dispensed with and its functions can be delegated to a monitoring officer.
[10] The only local authority to adopt the model was Stoke-on-Trent City Council, reverting to leader and cabinet in 2008.
Section 31 of the Local Government Act 2000 allowed district councils in two tier areas, with populations under 85,000, to propose alternative executive arrangements.