Executive, Committees and Boards

We have 60 councillors (Members) who each serve a four-year term. One-third is elected three years in four. Members have a duty to the whole community, but they have a special duty to their constituents, including those who did not vote for them. Members must follow a code of conduct, which is enforced by the Ethics and Standards Committee. All members meet together as the Full Council.

These meetings are normally open to the public. Council decides overall policies and sets the annual budget. It also has other functions detailed in the constitution.

Decision-making

The Council appoints an Executive, which is responsible for most day-to-day decisions. The Executive is made up of the Leader and six other members. The Executive's Forward Plan, published each month details major issues for decision or discussion. These meetings are open to the public except when the matters are personal or confidential. The Executive must make decisions in line with the Council's overall policies and budget. Matters outside the budget or policy framework must be referred to the full Council to decide.

Overview and Review

There are six scrutiny committees and an Examination and Review Committee, which review and support the work of the Executive and the Council as a whole. They give people a greater say in council affairs by holding inquiries into matters of local concern. The Executive and whole council use the resulting reports to inform policies, budget and service delivery. Scrutiny committees also monitor the decisions of the Executive. They can 'call-in' a Executive decision within five days to consider whether the right decision has been made. They may recommend that the Executive reconsider.

The Executive or the Council can also consult the committees on forthcoming decisions and the development of policy.