A major transformation in the way Tendring Council is run has been agreed.

The 60-member council will have an annually-appointed leader plus a cabinet of nine councillors.

Once members are appointed by the leader, the cabinet would exercise most of the council's functions.

Each of the cabinet will be "portfolio holders", with responsibility for certain areas.

The aim is to speed up decision-making and it will transform the current committee system.

At last night's (Wednesday's) resources and regeneration board, council chief executive John Hawkins said: "This is sweeping away a century's-worth of tradition."

It is hoped the new-style government will come into effect from October.

Councillors approved the plans for a leader and cabinet model and the timetable for when it will happen. They will now have to submit their plans to the Secretary of State.

More than £40,000 is to be spent on creating new office space and buying equipment as part of the shake-up.

The cash will be used to create more room and buy equipment for the new cabinet and council leader.

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