A REFERENDUM on whether Sedgefield Borough Council should have an elected mayor is likely to be held on Thursday, October 18.

Arrangements for the referendum will be debated at a meeting of the council today.

The suggested date has already been chosen by Hartlepool and Middlesbrough councils.

The referendum will probably be a postal ballot, which would cost the council about £39,000.

The ballot question will be: "Are you in favour of the proposal for Sedgefield Borough Council to be run in a new way, which includes a Mayor, who will be elected by the people in the borough, to lead Sedgefield Borough Council and the community it serves?"

If the result backs an elected mayor, an election will be held on Thursday, May 2, next year.

The term of office of the first mayor would be five years, in order for the next election to fall on the same day as local government elections, in May 2007. Each subsequent mayor would be elected for four years.

If the referendum rejects the idea, the council will retain the present leader and cabinet system. Consultations earlier this year showed 40 per cent in favour of a leader and cabinet.

Members said that was an inconclusive result, so decided to hold the referendum to test public support.