NEW YORK has one, London will be getting one soon and the people of the Lancaster district are to be asked if they want one too. We're talking about a directly elected mayor as the district's 'political supremo' at the council. A Government White Paper is expected to radically alter the way things are run at the country's town halls with elected mayors, executive cabinets and anti-corruption teams included in wide-ranging changes.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has said that he wants councils to operate as best they can and not be hampered with political organisation from the last century.

Lancaster's current mayor, Cllr Abbott Bryning, has gone on record to say it will concentrate too much power in the hands of one individual and council leader Stanley Henig feels it would encourage the 'cult of personality.'

But, although he's against the 'elected mayor' idea, Cllr Henig welcomed most of the other proposals.

"This White Paper is actually an exciting document to read," he said. "It is full of new ideas and it offers a complete redefinition of the purposes of local government. We are being challenged to change the ways we work and to move into the 21st century."

A referendum would be held to see if local people wanted a directly elected mayor, a leader appointed by the council who appoints a cabinet or a directly elected mayor working with a full time manager.

The position of Lord Mayor of London has attracted high-profile and celebrity candidates and an election for Lancaster's Mayor could well do the same. We asked local residents what they though about the idea of an elected mayor.

"I think it's a good idea. The buck would stop with the mayor if something went wrong and people will know who they are dealing with. If they get someone with some imagination, it could be good," said Penny Jelliff of Lancaster.

Middleton resident Kerry Atkins said: "I've no idea who the current mayor is. I think a powerful mayor would be good as long as it's the right person and there's a way of getting rid of them if they are no good."

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