[Josh Mynott]

Thanks - I've already read your Musical Chairs thing this morning. Basically, I'm like those Harry Potter fans who queue up all night waiting for the publication of the latest book, except with in depth academic niche studies of local government constitutional arrangements instead of thrilling tales of magic, adventure and the redemptive power of love over evil. And with no-one else in the queue...
Anyway, I thoroughly agree that culture is far more important than structure. Perhaps those authorities that choose to go to a committee system will find it works better for them because it is something they instinctively feel comfortable in -the current system has forced them into a culture they don't like and so do not use to its full potential. In other words, the change of culture could follow the structural change. Just a thought.
Another thought is whether the apparent south east bias is anything to do with politics. Is it that Conservative run authorities are more prevalent in the south east, and that Conservatives tend to be, well, more conservative? And possibly that the Leader & Cabinet is seen as a Labour / Blair thing (despite it having a longer history than that) that has always worked against it being accepted in some parts? Or do the facts simply not bear that out, and the authorities looking at it are a broader political mix?
Finally, you argue that money is a red herring. Well, possibly in purely theoretical terms it is, but I think you'd struggle to find an authority where that wasn't the first question.
But to conclude my book review - another piece of very useful CfPS material, so many thanks. Does this site allow me to award it stars?