Guide to democracy and representation

Decisions are made through an interconnecting structure of committees: the Cabinet, scrutiny committees; specialist committees, sub-committees; and advisory groups.

Most decisions are made by the Cabinet and then scrutinised by scrutiny committees. A small number of specialist committees and sub-committees also make some decisions for the authority.

In addition, councillors are appointed to various local and national organisations, where they represent your voice.

Committee Services

We are responsible for ensuring that the councils decision making processes function in an open and accountable way. This means advising committees on the correct procedures, relevant legislation and how to interpret standing orders.

A key part of the team’s activity is providing administrative support to the meetings. We deal with approximately 40 committees including

• Full Council and Cabinet
• Scrutiny Committees
• The Standards Committee and its Sub-Committees
• The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee and its Sub-Committees
• The Development Control Committee
•  The Licensing Committee and its Licensing Panels

We are also responsible for maintaining the constitution and forward plan.

Please see the website’s decision-making section for more information on the individual committees, agendas, report and minutes and the forward plan.

Council

Full Council is made up of 54 councillors and meets 7 times a year. Every May it appoints the Leader and other members of the Cabinet, allocating their portfolios.

It also decides on the size of and membership of the Council’s committees.

Cabinet

The Cabinet is a group of councillors who take most of the decisions about what the Council does. It is made up of a Leader and up to nine other Cabinet Councillors chosen by the Full Council.

Each Cabinet Councillor has a portfolio, which covers an individual area of responsibility. They may make individual decisions, as well as appoint Sub-Groups.

All decisions to be made by the Cabinet are published in the Forward Plan. The Forward Plan sets out these decisions that are expected to be taken over the next four months, together with key decisions taken by officers.

Scrutiny Committees

There are 5 scrutiny committees appointed annually by the Council as follows:

• Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee
• Culture and Environment Scrutiny Committee
• Health Scrutiny Committee
• Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee
• Resources and Corporate Performance Scrutiny Committee

The committees each consist of eight councillors from all political parties. There are also representatives (Co-opted Members) appointed to Children, Schools and Families Scrutiny Committee and Housing and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee.

For more information please visit the individual committees on the A-Z list of Committees

The Audit & Corporate Governance Committee, the Development Control Committee and the Licensing Committee

These committees, their sub-committees and Panels are responsible for carrying out all non-Executive functions such as determining planning application and applications for alcohol and entertainment licences.

For more information please visit the individual committees on the A-Z list of Committees