Committee details

The Cabinet is the Council’s principal decision-making body.  It comprises the Leader of the Council and nine Cabinet members.  Each has responsibility for a defined service area (portfolio).  Collectively the Cabinet has responsibility for taking the day to day decisions within the Council.  Cabinet meetings are open to the public, unless exempt or confidential information is being considered, and usually meet every six to eight weeks.

Cabinet Open Forum:  A Cabinet Open Forum is held at 6:00 p.m. prior to the start of each scheduled Cabinet Meeting, and is normally held in the Council Chamber.  The Open Forum is similar to the ‘public question time’ that happens at most Council meetings but without the need for questions.  It provides the chance to meet with Cabinet Members as well as Group Directors and Directors to discuss matters relevant to the Cabinet and its responsibilities.  It provides an opportunity to raise issues and give views.  The Forum will normally close at 6.30 pm and the Cabinet will then reconvene for the start of the formal Cabinet meeting.  If the Open Forum completes its business earlier than anticipated then the Cabinet Meeting will commence at 6:15pm or at the Forum’s conclusion.

(The link below is to the Cabinet Management Plan which sets out the timetable for the preparation of agendas for report authors:  http://10.154.104.226:9070/ecSDDisplay.aspx?NAME=SD5877&ID=5877&RPID=1715106&sch=doc&cat=13192&path=13192 )