A DECISION will be made next week on how Wychavon will be governed in the future.

Councillors will agree to adopt one of two new leader models at a special meeting next Tuesday in response to orders from central government.

A public consultation on the matter ended on Friday and of 38 respondents, 23 were in favour of a strong leader who would be elected by the council at its first annual meeting after the 2011 elections to hold office for four years.

The leader would appoint a cabinet of at least two other councillors, including a deputy leader, and together they would run the main services, with the full council continuing to set the budget and main policies.

Meanwhile, 14 respondents preferred to have a directly elected mayor who would hold office for a four-year period, and would be elected in addition to Wychavon’s 45 councillors.

The mayor would be responsible for appointing at least two councillors to a cabinet and together they would run the council’s services in accordance with the policies and budget agreed by the council.

Currently Wychavon is run by a leader and an executive board, whose members are elected by sitting councillors annually.

For more details, visit wychavon.gov.uk