Decision-making Process

Stage one:

The Cabinet, made up of the Leader of the Council and seven other councillors, uses its Executive Powers to make most of the Council's decisions on services, functions and Corporate management, including plans and strategies. Some key matters, such as setting the Budget, remain a matter for Council to decide.

Cabinet meetings take place every fortnight, and are chaired by the Leader. During these meetings, issues are raised and discussed, then decisions are made.  

Stage two:

The Agenda for the Cabinet meeting is sent to all Members of the Council at the same time as the Cabinet Members. The day after the Cabinet meeting, any decisions that were made are sent to all Members of the Council, along with copies of reports on which the Cabinet based its decisions.

Any councillor then has the opportunity to "call-in" an item for further scrutiny. Five scrutiny committees operate to deal with these requests.

Stage three:

The Chief Executive passes these items to the Chairman of the relevant Scrutiny Committee who decides whether the item is "called-in". If the Chairman agrees, the item will be reported to the Scrutiny Committee.

Stage four:

The Scrutiny Committee can then do one of three things. It can refer the matter back to the Cabinet for further consideration with recommendations; it can accept the report as drafted, which will be then be put to the next appropriate Cabinet meeting for ratification; or, in certain circumstances, it can refer the matter to full council.

However, if the matter was one for Executive decision, Council will be able to recommend to Cabinet. If it is a matter for Council then a decision can be made at the Council meeting.