Shadow Authority
The Structural
Change Order relating to the creation of Somerset West and Taunton
Council is now in the parliamentary process. Once the Order has
received formal parliamentary approval, Shadow Authority
arrangements will start almost immediately.
Shadow Arrangements are designed to ensure that members safely
manage the transition from two councils into one. A primary task of
the Shadow Executive is to monitor the delivery of an
Implementation Plan. The Implementation Team (Officers working to
stand up the new council) intend to ensure that a legal, safe and
functioning authority is stood up in April 2019. The Implementation
Plan will inevitably encompass much of the work currently being
undertaken by the Transformation Programme. Meetings of the Shadow Council and
Executive will be formal and public meetings.
The
Shadow Council consists of all 84 Members of both existing councils
– and will be an entity in its own right. The Shadow
Authority – is required to have a Head of Paid Service, s151
Finance Officer and a Monitoring Officer.