What is a characteristic of the 'Old-style' committee system?

The characteristic of the 'Old-style' committee system that is highlighted is that committees make policy decisions approved by the full council. In this traditional approach, committees play a crucial role in deliberating and crafting policy recommendations based on detailed discussions and expertise in specific areas. Once these committees reach a consensus or formulate a decision, they present their findings and recommendations to the full council for approval. This process emphasizes collective decision-making and accountability within the council structure.

In contrast, the other options do not reflect the nature of the old-style committee system. For example, directly elected mayors influencing decisions typically aligns more with modern governance structures that focus on strong individual leadership, which is not a characteristic of the older committee systems. The involvement of cabinet members suggests a more streamlined executive decision-making process that contrasts with the broader, more decentralized approach seen in the old-style system. Lastly, the notion that decisions are made in public only does not capture the complexity of decision-making, as many preliminary discussions and negotiations within committees may occur in private before they reach the public stage for approval.