The cabinet (Executive)
The Local Government Act 2000, requires that every local authority must have an executive at the centre of the decision making process to carry out all those functions which are not the responsibility of any other part of the local authority and to play a key role in preparing the council’s budget and policy framework. Of the three options available under the act, the Council opted for the leader and cabinet executive model. The council therefore appoints a leader at the annual council meeting, together with at least 2 and up to 9 members of the cabinet. Portfolios are also agreed and allocated to members of the cabinet by the council, on the recommendation of the leader. The cabinet and its members have wide-ranging leadership roles. In particular, they need to:-
- Prepare the local authority’s policies and budget
- Take decisions on resources and priorities
- Deliver and implement the budget and policies by the council
- Be the focus for forming partnerships with other organisations in the borough to address local needs
- Respond to any recommendations and reports from scrutiny and performance panels
- Respond to the needs and aspirations of local communities
The cabinet meets on a 3 weekly basis at the Council House or other location agreed by the leader in accordance with the timetable of meetings approved by the council at its annual meeting. Meetings normally take place in public.
All functions which are the responsibility of the cabinet are dealt with on a collective decision making basis, notwithstanding that individual members of the cabinet have specific portfolio responsibilities. The cabinet, however, can arrange for its functions to be exercised through committees of the cabinet or by officers.
Decisions of the cabinet are published normally within 2 days following the meeting.
View minutes and agendas on our committee information website
This page was last updated on 28 May 2008