Polling stations have opened in Croydon, as part of a referendum on whether residents want a mayor or the current council system

Under the current system, the leader is chosen by the councillors.

However, under a Mayoral system, residents would directly elect the leader themselves.

Under each system, the head of the council would choose the cabinet, but a Mayor can theoretically be an independent or an opposition member, or give them voices.

However, a mayor only needs one third of the council to agree to their policies to get them through, and doesn’t have to resign if they lose a no-confidence vote.