The Local Government Association's Labour group is set to change its constitution to split the role of group leader from the chairman's role, in the run-up to the next elections.

The May polls are likely to see a shift in the balance of power at the LGA from being a Conservative-led organisation, to being Labour-led as the Tories currently have just a 0.6% majority.

Under Conservative rules, the chairman and group leader are separate but, until now, Labour has always had just one councillor taking on both jobs.

A split role leaves the group leader free to make political statements, separate from the cross-party nature of the chairman's role.

The MJ understands that current Labour Group leader, David Sparks, is keen to take on the post of chairman, should the elections put the LGA in the hands of his party – but he is unlikely to step down as leader of Dudley MBC.

The Labour executive approved the proposals last month, but the changes will need to be voted through by the whole Labour membership next month.

A spokesman for the Conservative group told The MJ it was a ‘sensible' move in his experience. ‘The LGA has always maintained a cross-party view and its helpful to have someone in that position that isn't dealing with the day-today politics.'

Labour are not the only group reviewing their constitution.  The Conservatives have changed their rules that LGA posts can only be held for a maximum of three years. This has been extended to four years, so the political team at the LGA does not have to change in the run-up to the General Election.