The Council comprises 45 councillors (although there
are currently 3 vacancies). One-third are elected three years in
four. Councillors are democratically accountable to the residents
of their ward. The overriding duty of councillors is to the whole
community, but they have a special duty to their constituents,
including those who did not vote for them.
All Councillors meet together at a
meeting known as Council. Council meetings are normally open to the
public and at these meetings Councillors appoint the Leader,
determine the policy framework, decide the Council’s overall
policies and set the budget each year, in addition to decisions
relating to other important Council business. The annual meeting
held in May is mainly a ceremonial meeting to elect the Mayor and
Deputy Mayor.
Members of the public are permitted to ask a
question at these meetings, further
information on how to do this can be found
here.