The Council comprises 45 Councillors. 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 as the Council. Meetings of the Council are normally open
to the public. Here 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.
Anyone can
attend a meeting of the Council, the Executive and its
Committees, which are also available to view online on our webcasting
site.
In addition, any person who lives or works in the
borough may
ask a question of Members of the Executive or Chairmen of
Committees during ordinary meetings of the Full Council.