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Gateshead Council

   

Gateshead Council is currently made up of several different components. These are:

Leader of the Council, who:

• Leads the Cabinet;
• Proposes policies;
• Proposes budgets;
• Makes decisions with cabinet on key services;
• Appoints Cabinet Members

The Council, that:

• Agrees policies;
• Agrees budgets;
• Elects Leader;
• Keeps traditional Mayor;
• Meets every month;
• Attends public meetings.

Councillors, who:

• Represent you;
• Monitor and examine decisions;
• Review the Council's activities.

The Cabinet, who:

• Make decisions on key services such as housing, social services & education;
• Ensure Council policies are implemented makes decisions in public.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees, that:

• Are non-executive;
• Have wide legal powers to look into cabinet matters;
• Can be attended by Cabinet and Officers;
• Are public meetings.

Regulatory Committee, that:

• Deal with licenses a number of areas including hackney carriage drivers and proprietors;
• Oversee sports ground safety certificates;
• Register marriage premises;
• Is a public meeting.

Licensing Committees and Sub-Committees, that:

• Deal with duties under Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005;
• Is a public meeting.

Rights of Way Committee, that:

• Deal with issues relating to footpaths, bridleways and rights of way;
• Is a public meeting.

Planning and Development Committee, that:

• Decides on planning applications;
• Enforces planning control/building regulations;
• Is a public meeting.

Standards Committee

• Maintains standards of Council conduct;
• Advises on specific ethical issues;
• Is an independent chair;
• Is a public meeting.

The above Committees vary in size, and be made up of all political parties.

How it works

• The full Council chooses the Leader from among the councillors;
• The Leader appoints the Cabinet;
• The Cabinet, will discuss and make decisions on council services, within the budget and policies set by the full Council. These decisions will be made in public;
• Overview and Scrutiny Committees, made up of councillors not in the Cabinet, will monitor Cabinet decisions and review Council plans;
• There will be a traditional Mayor, who will continue to carry out his or her civic and ceremonial duties as 'First Citizen' of the Borough;
• Local people will elect their local councillor, to represent their ward.