to give powers to local authorities to promote economic, social and environmental well-being within their boundaries
to require local authorities to shift from their traditional committee-based system of decision-making to an executive model, possibly with a directly elected mayor (subject to approval by referendum), and with a cabinet of ruling party group members
to create a consequent separation of functions with local authorities, with backbench councillors fulfilling an overview and scrutiny role
to introduce a revised ethical framework for local authorities, requiring the adoption of codes of conduct for elected members and standards committees to implement the codes of conduct; the introduction of a national Standards Board and Adjudication Panel to deal with complaints and to oversee disciplinary issues
The introduction of directly elected mayors was the most radical innovation in the Act. About thirty local referendums have been held, the majority of which have decided against the elected mayor option.
Options for council executive forms
The act provided that the executive of a local authority must take one of the following forms: