Structure of Gateshead Council
Gateshead Council is currently made up of several different componets. These are:
Leader of the Council, who:
-
Leads the Cabinet;
-
Proposes policies;
-
Proposes budgets;
-
Makes decisions with cabinet on key services.
The Council, that:
-
Agrees policies;
-
Agrees budgets;
-
Elects Leader & Cabinet;
-
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;
-
Must be attended by Cabinet and Officers;
-
Are public meetings.
Licensing Panel, that:
-
Deal with licences for taxis and taxi drivers and public entertainment, street collections/lotteries;
-
Oversee sports ground safety certificates;
-
Register marriage premises;
-
Is a public meeting.
Development Control Panel, 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 and Panels vary in size, and be made up of all political parties.
How it works
-
The full Council chooses the Leader and the Cabinet from among the councillors;
-
The Executive, consisting of the Leader and 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;
-
If the Council is dissatisfied with their performance, then the Leader and Cabinet can be voted out of office;
-
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.