As EHJ went to press, the Government had unveiled its draft rules for local authorities holding direct elections for mayors. The draft Local Authorities (Mayoral Elections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2002 is subject to affirmations in each House of Parliament, and provisions include nomination requirements, limits on campaign expenses and details of the voting system. A framework is now in place for local communities to have an elected mayor if they so choose, and the proposals are widely seen as a driver to modernise democracy. The draft regulations have been made under secondary legislation which is provided for in the Local Government Act 2000, under which most local authorities, with some exceptions, will operate "executive arrangements". The Act sets out three types: directly elected mayor and cabinet; directly elected mayor and council manager; and leader (elected by councillors) and cabinet. It is up to local authorities to consult on which arrangement is wanted by the local people.

If there is a proposal to have a mayor, the local authority must hold a binding referendum, and to-date Watford, Doncaster, Hartlepool, Lewisham, Middlesbrough and North Tyneside are set to hold mayoral elections in May this year. Where a directly elected mayor is in place, he or she will be part of the full council that determines the council's overall policies and budget, and also a member of the executive which is responsible for the implementation of these policies. There are some serious implications for public health service delivery. Brian Baker observes the system of local government in the United States and asks whether an elected mayoralty will significantly alter the approach to policy, priorities and service delivery here.

But it is not just local government structure that has been undergoing reform. Following last year's strategic review, the Chartered Institute is set to emerge into the new year with a new fully functioning policy making mechanism. We look at the work programme and future direction of the organisation. This month we launch the revamped policy and developments page, which has a new format for imparting the news, views and opinion of your professional body. Each January sees changes at the top of the organisation, and this month we profile incoming president Brian Hanna and talk to him about his aspirations for his three-year term. Meanwhile, Nick Warburton interviews outgoing chairman Stephen Young about the highs and lows of his twelve months in office. Elsewhere in this issue zoo licensing is raised again, following a report from the Born Free Foundation which alleges that potentially one in five establishments in the UK are operating without a licence.

All that remains is for me to wish you all a very happy new year, and to say that EHJ welcomes your debate on all the issues raised in its pages, either to us on the editorial team or on the forum page of EHJ's website.

Tracey Khanna, Editor