Council in U-turn over elections

A council has dropped plans to change its election system after being challenged by the government.

Cannock Chase Council cancelled the 2010 election of a third of its members so it could move to the system of electing the whole council in 2011.

Council chief executive Stephen Brown said "we acted beyond our powers", but said the move was made in good faith.

The government said only the secretary of state had powers to cancel planned elections or change the year of them.

The council said it would now continue with its existing system and that 13 seats would be up for election in 2010.

Mr Brown said: "Unfortunately, we acted beyond our powers and I deeply regret that position the council now finds itself in.

'Financial advice'

"I have met with those members who are directly affected by this and, as chief executive, I have apologized to them."

Mr Brown added that he was taking advice on how to minimize the financial implications to the council.

A Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG) spokeswoman said: "The department contacted Cannock Chase Council to query under what powers the council had taken the decision to cancel their 2010 elections."

Any move to whole-council elections would be decided by the secretary of state, she said.

The council was set to discuss a report into the error at a full council meeting later.