The Leader and Cabinet carry out the council’s executive functions.
The Cabinet carries out the executive functions, unless the Leader decides to carry them them personally or allocate them to an individual Cabinet member (who can delegate those functions to officers), a committee of the Cabinet, an officer or a joint committee. The Cabinet can delegate its functions to a committee of the Cabinet or officers, but not to an individual Cabinet member.
All executive functions not expressly reserved to the Leader, the Cabinet, a committee of the Cabinet or an individual Cabinet member are delegated to officers, subject to the restrictions on officer powers set out in the Officer Scheme of Delegation.
The Deputy Leader, appointed by the Leader, is a member of the Cabinet who deputises for the Leader in case of incapacity or absence.
Find our more about Cabinet members and their portfolios.
Executive responsibilities
The Executive is responsible for:
- ensuring the effective and efficient discharge of the functions delegated to them
- ensuring that any council services within their remit are appropriate for and responsive to the needs and views of the council’s residents, and are delivered effectively and efficiently
- ensuring that good external relationships and effective local liaison are promoted in relation to council services within their remit
- monitoring the functions of the council within their remit and contributing to any council aims, objectives and policies
- determining policies and objectives for any council services, within their remit, reviewing the extent to which they are met, and agreeing any necessary action
- determining the council’s views on matters specific to their areas of responsibility and related external matters.
Matters reserved for the Executive
The following functions are exercised only by the Executive:
- Key Decisions (see Cabinet Forward Plan)
- setting fees, charges or concession policies in respect of executive functions
- the development of council policy or strategy, the monitoring of the effectiveness of policy or strategy and the review of policy or strategy (leading to revision and further development)
- annually, draw up proposals for the council’s Revenue Budget, Capital Programme, Treasury Management Policy and Council Tax levels for consideration and determination by Full Council
- prepare the draft Budget and Policy Framework documents
- approve or adopt non-development plan documents prepared under the Local Development Framework and to modify, revise, revoke or withdraw a Development Plan Document following direction from the Secretary of State, or recommended by a person carrying out an independent examination, or authorised by a determination made by Full Council
- refer to the Full Council for determining matters that depart from the Budget and Policy Framework adopted by the Full Council, except matters of urgency
- promote the council’s policies on climate change from time to time in force
Cabinet member responsibilities
Each Cabinet member is the spokesperson for the policy area or 'portfolio' they are responsible for.
They also:
- lead on developing council policy and make recommendations to the Cabinet
- provide guidance to the Cabinet on delivering services within their portfolio area
- give guidance to the Cabinet on budget priorities
- monitor performance and make sure policy is delivered
- lead on improving council services
- ensure that activities meet the council's overall vision, core values and guiding principles
- represent the council at a national and local level
- contribute to debate and decision-making
- work with all councillors and officers to make sure that the overview and scrutiny process works correctly including appearing before relevant Overview and Scrutiny meetings and responding to Overview and Scrutiny Committee reports
- make decisions as delegated to them by the Leader within the responsibility of the Cabinet member’s portfolio
- ensure appropriate consultation and liaison with partners and the community on matters within the scope of their portfolio
Leader's responsibilities
The Leader of the Council:
- chairs the Cabinet
- nominates a Deputy Leader
- selects the Cabinet members and determines their portfolios of responsibility
- appoints committees and sub-committees of the Cabinet and determines their powers
- represents and acts as ambassador for the council as Leader of the Council (recognising the role of the Mayor)
- has overall responsibility for:
- policy development and design
- Ministerial and Members of Parliament liaison
- co-ordinating the decision-making process of the Cabinet and its Committees within the Budget and Policy Framework agreed by the Council
- co-ordinating the Cabinet’s preparation of draft proposals to amend or update the Budget and Policy Framework
- co-ordinating the preparation of the Annual Budget
- representing the council's views on corporate or strategic policy and other matters within the Leader's terms of reference
- acting in the place of any Cabinet member having delegated authority under this scheme
More information
To learn more about responsibilities for functions read the full document: