Constitution glossary
Access to information rules
The rules which set out when members of the public can obtain information to be used at meetings of the council. They also outline when a meeting may be wholly or partly held in private.
Advisory groups/committees
Groups within the council which may involve officers and are not committees for the purposes of the Local Government Act 1972 and may or may not be open to the public. No decisions are taken by these groups.
Annual Council
This is the first meeting of all 66 councillors at the beginning of the municipal year, usually in May following the local elections. At this meeting, certain decisions are made which are not ordinarily made at other meetings, such as allocating seats on committees and electing the Mayor.
Budget
The budget agreed by Full Council for the upcoming financial year at the Annual Council Meeting.
Cabinet
The executive body of the council made up of the Leader and 9 other councillors.
Call-in
A mechanism which allows an Overview and Scrutiny Committee to examine and challenge a decision of the executive before it is implemented.
Chair
The person, usually an elected member of the council, who is in charge of a meeting and/or body of the council.
Clear days
Clear days means that in computing the number of days:
- the day on which the period begins and
- if the end of the period is defined by reference to an event, the day on which that event occurs
are not included.
Example: If a notice of motion is to be received by the Chief Executive six clear days before the Council meeting on Thursday 25 September then it must be received by the end of the day on Thursday 18 September.
Committee
A body made up of elected members which carries out functions delegated to them by the Council or Cabinet.
Constitution
The 'rule book' of the council, which sets out how the council is run and how decisions should be made.
Co-opted member
A person who is not a councillor who is appointed to serve on a committee or sub-committee, usually with no voting rights.
Delegated decisions/powers
Some decision-making authority held by the council or the executive is often delegated to a different body within the council, or an officer.
Executive
This refers to the branch of the Local Authority composed of the Leader and Cabinet.
Exempt information
Information which falls into one of the 7 categories listed in the Access to Information Rules which may not be disclosed to the public.
Full council
Full council refers to a meeting of all 66 elected councillors of Gateshead. Meetings are held in public.
Head of paid service
The most senior officer of the council, with overall responsibility for management and operation of the council.
Key decision
A key decision is an executive decision which is likely:
- to result in the council incurring expenditure which is, or the making of savings which are, significant (in excess of £500,000) having regard to the Council's budget for the service or function to which the decision relates; or
- to be significant in terms of its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more wards in the council's area.
Leader
The person elected by the council to be its Leader. This person appoints councillors to the Cabinet, chairs the Cabinet and appoints the Deputy Leader.
Local choice functions
Functions which may be exercised by the Executive. The Full Council will decide which functions are Executive and Non-Executive.
Member / councillor
A person elected to hold one of the 66 seats on Gateshead Council.
Monitoring Officer
The monitoring officer is the most senior legal officer within Gateshead Council and promotes high standards of members, as well as ensuring that all decision-making is fair and follows correct procedures.
Non-executive functions
Functions which cannot be exercised by the Executive. They may be exercised by Full Council or delegated to a Non-Executive body of the council, such as a committee, or an appropriate officer.
Officer
A person employed by the council. Officers carry on the "day-to-day" operations of the council.
Overview and scrutiny committee
Committees established to assist in the development of policy and to hold to account the Cabinet and other executive decision-makers.
Petition
A formal request by residents for the council to consider a particular issue.
Point of order
When a councillor may speak during a debate to raise a matter of procedure.
Policy framework
Refers to the council's policy framework as detailed in Article 4 of the constitution.
Political balance
Some committees of the council are required to reflect the political balance of the overall council.
Proper officer
The Chief Executive or such other suitably experienced senior officer as the Chief Executive shall appoint to be responsible for specific responsibilities in law.
Quorum
The minimum number of people who shall be present before a meeting may take place.
Section 151 Officer
This is the Chief Financial Officer and is charged with ensuring the council's finances are administered properly.
Schedule of decisions
A list of the "Key Decisions" the Cabinet will make over the next month.
Seconded
When a motion in a council meeting is supported by another councillor, allowing the motion to be considered.
Virement
Moving budget funds from one area of expenditure to another within a financial year
Ward
An electoral area within Gateshead. Gateshead has 22 wards.
Whip
Any instruction given by or on behalf of a political group to any councillor, who is a member of that group, as to how that councillor shall speak or vote on any matter.