RESULTS of a public opinion survey have revealed that 85 per cent of people in South Bucks want local government structure to be re-organised.

The recent survey carried out by independent research company MORI on behalf of South Bucks District Council revealed that 56 per cent of respondents wanted to see a leader with a cabinet system as opposed to 15 per cent feeling the present system should be retained.

Questionnaires were sent to all residents, businesses and organisations in the district asking for views on the way local government should be run. There were 1,675 replies.

Trevor Egleton, Leader of South Bucks District Council, said: "This is an excellent response.

"We want to make sure that our council listens to local people.

"With a leader and a cabinet of councillors who will concentrate on specific issues, we hope to give strong leadership and deliver clear accountability.

"We are determined to find a new structure that is as open, responsive and efficient as possible and we are delighted that our proposed leader with cabinet approach has received such a ringing endorsement from local residents."

Under the new system, the electorate will still vote for their councillors and regular meetings of the whole council will take decisions about major issues such as the budget.

There will still be a committee to consider planning applications and some licences.

Review panels will be set up to examine and question the decisions of the leader and cabinet and draw up suggested policies. A standards committee will consider codes of conduct and deal with alleged breaches of codes by councillors.

All councils have to change their structure by May 2002. The new system will come into effect in South Bucks from the end of this month.