THE Surrey branch of a national rural interest group has told Waverley's chief executive that her council's reform proposals will be a blow to local democracy.

Surrey's branch of the Council for the Protection of Rural England has written to Christine Pointer criticising the council's proposals to reduce the committee system of decision making in favour of cabinet-style local government.

On trial since February, the new system sees decisions made by up to nine cabinet members - formed from the ruling party - with political opponents only able to fine tune and scrutinise.

The Local Government Act 2000 demands councils streamline the way they work.

Under the act, Waverley is considering three options for change: an elected mayor and cabinet, an elected leader and cabinet (Waverley's preference), and an elected mayor and council manager.

Waverley asked for views on its proposals as part of a consultation and chairman of Surrey CPRE John Thorpe did not waste any time.

"We are concerned that the democratic representation of the electorate's views is likely to be diminished by the reduced number of councillors selected to make important decisions.

"This streamlining favours the working of the council's officers rather than ensuring that a balance of views is sought from among the elected representatives who are closely involved with and knowledgeable on issues in their wards."

Mr Thorpe added that the current seven-strong cabinet does not fairly represent Waverley's wards.

He also doubts whether the change is a mandatory requirement from the government.

"The whole process is being pushed through with undue haste - less than six months from start to finish.

"Because the cabinet system is so exclusive, we cannot see that council affairs will be more transparent. If the decision making is more streamlined it is unlikely to be more democratic."