Senior councillors in Pembrokeshire will have “more authority and more accountability” under a new scheme of delegation that “makes history.”

Cabinet member Clr. Paul Miller proposed the introduction of individual decision making and a change to the constitution earlier this year.

The changes to the cabinet scheme of delegation would “allow for greater transparency and individual responsibility and accountability.”

At Monday’s (October 8) cabinet meeting he said it was the most “significant change to date” and the public expected their “elected members to be driving the agenda and making strategic decisions.”

“It will ensure elected members are making the key decisions across the authority and allow the public to hold their politicians to account for those decisions,” he added.

Council leader Clr. David Simpson said the changes made history and was a big step for the administration.

“It does mean we are more accountable and it does mean we have got a lot more responsibility – we are stepping up to the plate,” he added.

Clr. Simpson said that officers and members will be involved in decision making and it would be “open and transparent.”

Decision will be subject to a number of legal procedures and call-in arrangements.

Within each cabinet portfolio the individual member will be able to authorise the awards of contracts for goods and services up to £2million or undertaking of works to the relevant EU thresholds.

They will also agree budget changes and authorise the acquisition or disposal of land or premises.

Other functions include proposing budgets and policy developments, develop implementation plans, partnership proposals and make formal responses to consultations.

Cabinet agreed to adopt the scheme in principle but it must also “dovetail” with a review of key constitutional documents and these are all likely to come to full council in December.