THE future of one of the region's councils has been placed in the hands of its residents.

Under new laws, which came into effect in the summer, people in Hartlepool will have a choice of three options for the way in which the council makes decisions.

They are a council leader and cabinet, an elected mayor and cabinet, or an elected mayor and a council manager.

Beginning this week, all households in the town will receive a copy of Hartbeat, Hartlepool Borough Council's community magazine, which asks people to choose one of the three options.

The council's provisional preference is for a leader and a cabinet. However, this will be changed if the public prefer a different option.

Organisations like parish councils and businesses, youth and church groups, as well as the voluntary sector, will also be asked which option they prefer.

Once all of the responses have been received, the council will determine which options the public prefers. The decision will be announced in December, and the council will then advise the Government of the preferred option.

There will also be three neighbourhood forums during October, at which people can ask questions.

Brian Dinsdale, chief executive of the council, said: "The consultation will encourage both Hartlepool residents and other stakeholders to express a view on which option should be adopted.

"These are very important choices, and a decision on which option to use will only be made after widespread consultation with local people.