Council structure

The Council comprises all 48 elected councillors. The Liberal Democrat Group is the Majority Group and the political balance of the Council is: 27 Liberal Democrat, 12 Conservative and 9 Green.

The Chairman of the Council is elected annually at the Council's Annual Meeting.

The role of the Council is to:
•Determine policy
•Adopt specific policies
•Approve a budget and borrowing
•Appoint the Leader
•Agree allowances for Councillors

All Councillors have a range of roles including:
•Representing their constituents
•Acting together as the full Council
•Membership of Ordinary Committees, advisory groups and sub-committees
•Membership of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (except Cabinet Members)
•Acting as the Council's representative on certain outside bodies

The Council's Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable.

Further information about the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and how to make a work programme suggestion can be found here .

Use the links below for more information about the Cabinet and Committees