Proposals for an elected local figurehead similar to the Mayor of London have been rejected by Sutton residents.

Sutton Council was asked by Government to choose between having a directly elected mayor, or a leader with more power, in time for the elections in May next year.

A directly elected mayoral system would have seen executive powers and control over cabinet, including the power to appoint members, given to one person.

The “new style” leader and cabinet system is closer to the current system in the borough, but would further strengthen the power of the council leader.

However, Sutton Council received no response from Sutton residents after it launched a public consulation through this newspaper in October.

At full council meeting on Monday night, councillors agreed to implement the “new style” structure, which is similar to the current leader and cabinet model with a ceremonial mayor.

Lib Dem council deputy leader councillor Ruth Dombey said a directly elected mayor would have had too much power.

She said: “It was not an option to keep the status quo, but we have a system here that works.

“The issue is how we run the council, not how it is lead; what we want to do is involve more people in decision making, not concentrate power on one person.”

Former Labour Prime Minister Tony Blair had envisaged the mayoral system as galvanising towns and providing clear leadership to get the job done.

There are 13 elected mayors in the country.

Stuart Drummond, aka H’Angus the Monkey, became mayor of Hartlepool in 2002 after standing in his monkey mascot costume as a publicity stunt for the town’s football club.

His vote-winning slogan was “free bananas for schoolchildren”.

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