A CABINET-style county council will lead Buckinghamshire from May, in a reorganisation costing at least £800,000.

A CABINET-style county council will lead Buckinghamshire from May, in a reorganisation costing at least £800,000.

The county's policy and resources committee decided on the move last Thursday following a county-wide survey which chose this option rather than others of an elected mayor with a cabinet, or an elected mayor and a council manager.

With the full council's agreement, a pilot scheme to practice the new way of running Bucks, will start after November 23, the date the matter goes to the full council.

Interviews are being held this week for a chief officer who would take over from the current chief executive.

Two temporary general managers will be hired to support the cabinet. The appointment of officers as political researchers will be considered by members.

The leader and deputy leader will work with five so-called members with portfolios, in charge of services for children and young people, community services, planning and transportation, care services for adults, and delivery of education.

The survey consisted of a thousand face to face interviews and a written survey of 8,500 homes.

Under the scheme five select committees will scrutinise cabinet decisions. Retiring chief executive Ian Crookall told members the select committees would meet in public, but there were times when they would have to meet privately.

He said: 'There is no doubt that this change will cost money. Detailed costs will be shown in November.'

Chairman Cllr David Shakespeare (Con, West Wycombe and Sands) said: 'This is not a change that Bucks has sought. It is a legal requirement, and as such, we will want to make the best job of it that we can, so that the new council will be able to make things work.'

Cllr Francis Robinson (Con, Missenden Ridings), a former council chairman, said: 'It was not our wish, and the costs of reorganisation have always been something we under-estimated. We will have to put our council tax up or cut our services. But £800,000 is a huge amount and it is not our fault. I think the public should know that.'

Cllr Pam Crawford (Lib Dem, Chesham West) said the scheme is more accountable, efficient, and effective.

Cllr Maurice Oram (Lib Dem, Marlow South) said: 'I have been 30 years in local government, and in that time there have been three attempts to reorganise, including this one. This fills me with more excitement than any others. It will give tremendous opportunities to this council.'