Many councillors believe an elected mayor will breathe new life into local government in Brighton and Hove.

They hope a referendum in the spring will lead to a charismatic and able personality being elected to take charge of the new city next October.

But their enthusiasm does not seem to be shared by a sample of the electorate already canvassed by the council.

A fact pack issued by the council to scores of organisations elicited just two responses.

Only half of those canvassed in other ways were in favour of the new, powerful First Citizen.

Yet the survey showed even less enthusiasm for the current experimental system of running the council with a leader and a Cabinet.

The council should press ahead with a referendum on this issue to get a genuine idea of people's views on the issue.

Councils badly need something to galvanise interest in how they work. An elected mayor could do the trick - provided the right man or woman was chosen.

People in Brighton and Hove should be able to choose someone as the public face of the city who is also able to take quick decisions on many issues.

But it also needs to be made clear to an apathetic or cynical electorate that the new system will also give power to ward councillors as community champions.

They must be able to put local issues forward and to be able to rein in any mayors who get too big for their civic boots.