During all my investigations into the matter of this Primary School review I have had to learn a lot about councils, councillors, MPs etc. However, listeneing to all the responses received back from local "prominent people", I am having trouble establishing who Herts County Council are accountable to. Our local County Councillor's say they have no control over what HCC do. Our MP says he has no control. Surely they must be accountable to someone. Can anyone help me out please?
The County Council Officers are responsible to the County Councillors. However,with the new cabinet system, which was introduced a few years ago, fewer councillors are involved with determining a matter. Thus, some councillors will have more input into a situation than others.
Ultimately the County Councillors are responsible to the electorate at the ballot box. County Council elections occur every four years and the last one was in 2005 as far as I can remember. Councillors normally have some accountability to the party whom they stand for who can choose to de-select them for the next election.
MP's are much the same as Councillors and will know many of the councillors from their own party on a personal level. This is why it is still good to write to an MP even when they have no direct influence over a matter.
Hope this clarifies the situation.
Thanks booklady. So what would happen to these proposals if the political party changed in Potters Bar.