Decision Making Process

The Council operates according to Leader and Cabinet model. This sees a Leader being elected from amongst elected councillors and choosing a Cabinet to oversee executive decision-making.

Cabinet is empowered to undertake decisions within the Council’s scheme of delegation and that fall within the key ‘Policy Framework’ documents (key policies and strategies) that are agreed by Full Council. The following is a summary of the role and purpose of each committee. 

Full Council is ultimately responsible for all functions of the Council. Specifically, it is responsible for adopting substantive changes to the Constitution, approving the Annual Budget and setting the Council Tax, adopting a Members' allowances scheme and a number of other matters (including the approval of the Local Plan). 

Cabinet (also known as the Executive) are responsible for formulating policy (some of which may require Full Council approval) and for many of the day-to-day decisions associated with delivering the Council's key plans and strategies. 

The Council has two Cabinet Advisory Boards whose role it to 'pre-scrutinise' decisions being taken by the Cabinet. The Cabinet Advisory Boards reflect cabinet portfolios and are there to enable councillors to provide input into the decision-making and to represent the views of their residents. 

The Audit and Governance Committee oversees standards of Member conduct, our internal and external audit work (including the statement of accounts) and other issues such as risk management.

The Overview and Scrutiny Committee plays two roles – a forward looking, proactive role to pick up particular issues of concern, to explore them in detail and to make recommendations; and a backwards-looking role in which they can 'call in' any Cabinet decisions if they feel the decision was not subject to adequate consultation or was in some other way lacking. 

The Planning and Licensing committees determine applications for planning permission or licensing applications. Members sitting on these committees are require to make decisions on Planning/Licensing grounds and to undertake specific training before they can take their place on the committee(s). 

There are various other panels and committees including working groups looking at issues including climate action, property, housing and planning policy.