COLCHESTER’S High Steward is calling for the return of the committee system ahead of next month’s all-out council elections.

Sir Bob Russell has urged the new council to consider abolishing the current cabinet system where out of 60 councillors, only eight sit in the cabinet.

He said: “When Colchester operated by committees there was a total of 120 places so each councillor served on two committees, which ensured they were fully involved with major decisions then taken by the full council.

“Since every councillor, from the newest to the longest-serving, is voted by his or her residents to be their representative, they should have equal weight when it comes to making decisions. This clearly does not happen."

Current leader of the council, Paul Smith, has also worked under both systems.

He said: “In a committee system it’s easy to refer matters onto another committee to delay things so it makes processes a lot slower.

“There are merits in both but the system we have at the moment is the best balance between councillors having their say while also being held to account, which is very important.”

The concern with a cabinet system is a few councillors make all the decisions.