RESIDENTS will have the chance to decide the future of the elected mayoral system for a North-East town after council members voted in favour of a referendum.

After 11 years under the current system, Middlesbrough Council will now ask the town’s residents whether they want to retain the elected mayor role or replace it with the elected leader and cabinet system favoured by many other local authorities.

At a Council meeting on Wednesday night, Mayor Ray Mallon reminded members that prior to his election win in 2011 he said that if he won, it would be his last term in office.

Last month Mr Mallon publicly announced that he was standing down from the role in 2015 and urged the authority to hold a referendum to determine the future of the mayoral system.

The announcement was made just days before it was made public that a residents’ group had launched a petition calling for the elected mayor to be replaced by the committee system.

The former Cleveland Police officer, who has been mayor since 2002, said: “You will decide tonight if you want a referendum. I don’t intend to get involved in the debate because the outcome doesn’t involve me. However, I may have something to say about further down the line.”

Members of the council were told they had the option to choose whether they wanted the referendum to be for an elected mayor or a leader who is an elected councilor.

Alternatively, the referendum could be for an elected mayor or by one or more committees made up of elected councillors.

Liberal democrat member for Stainton and Thornton Maelor Williams said: “I welcome the opportunity for the referendum. In 2001 all three parties were opposed to the directly elected mayor, no disrespect Mayor Mallon, and I don’t believe that position has changed.”

And Deputy Mayor David Budd added: “II think the time is right, after 12 years, that we have a referendum and ask the people of the town.”

The authority’s members voted 39 for and one against for the referendum to be a choice between the current mayoral system and with the elected leader and cabinet system.

Residents will now have the chance to vote on Thursday, September 26.