How we Work

Chester City Council is a district council and is responsible for a range of local services such as:

• council tax collection
• electoral registration
• environmental health
• leisure and recreation
• local planning
• and rubbish collection

Chester City Council overall is 'excellent', according to a major report from the Audit Commission.

The City Council shares responsibility for local services with Cheshire County Council (External Link). You can find out more information about the particular local authority functions here.

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.

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.

Chester City Council has agreed a constitution which sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

The council structure itself is based on four directorates, each responsible for a range of services.