The Council′s decision making arrangements ensure a clear separation between those councillors responsible for developing and implementing policy and those responsible for scrutinising the operation of the Council and holding the Executive to account.

The law requires that some decisions must be taken by the full Council (e.g. setting the Council Tax), or by particular committees and sub-committees of the Council, (deciding planning applications); and that some other decisions must be taken by the Mayor and Cabinet (Executive decisions). In other cases the Council can choose which person or body can make a decision. Most routine decisions are delegated by the Council or the Cabinet to officers and/or committees and sub-committees. These arrangements are set out in the Council’s Scheme of Delegation.

Full Council

The Full Council is the highest decision making body of the Council. All 57 Councillors, together with the elected Mayor, attend the meetings which take place 10 times a year. Full Council is responsible for setting the policy framework of the Council, which everything else must operate within. It is also responsible for agreeing the Council’s budget.