Summary

The Council has adopted a new way of working by modernising the way it makes decisions. The major decisions for the coming months can be found in the forward plan. This is in line with Government proposals and is aimed at improving democracy, accountability and efficiency.

For the making of new policies, these will only become effective if they are agreed by full Council and after public debate.

Cabinet

A Cabinet of lead Councillors has been created who will generally make decisions. These decisions will be made directly but within the policy framework and budget agreed by the full Council.

Overview and Scrutiny

Where the decisions are made by Cabinet within existing Council policies, they become effective immediately unless they are "called in". Calling in is a mechanism whereby decisions taken can be challenged by other Councillors before they are implemented.

Four Councillors of the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee can ask for a meeting of that Committee within five working days of the publication of the decision. This Overview and Scrutiny Committee can then, if they agree, call a meeting of full Council to discuss the issue or make recommendations to Cabinet.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees of non Cabinet members have been established to monitor decisions, review policies and performance and to make recommendations for future action. The Overview and Scrutiny Commission is responsible for looking at different aspects of the Councils' Services and is supported by 3 sub-committees.

The following Scrutiny Committees have been established:

  • Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee
  • Children and Young Peoples Scrutiny Sub-Committee
  • Health, Adults and Older Persons Scrutiny Sub-Committee
  • Performance Improvement Scrutiny Sub-Committee
  • Community Safety, Environment and Housing Scrutiny Sub-Committee

Diagram

There is a diagram showing how decisions are made:

Purpose of the Council

The Council will have the ultimate power to hold the Cabinet and the Executive (those who manage and deliver services) to account.

The Council's functions will be to:

  • make decisions required by statute;
  • consider, debate and approve budget, policy and major service proposals;
  • scrutinise the performance of the Cabinet and the Executive with the assistance of Scrutiny Committees;
  • make appointments to the Cabinet, Scrutiny Committees and outside bodies;
  • consider wider matters affecting the Authority.

The Council will also have the power to give direction to the Scrutiny Committees in a manner that is supportive of these Committees' independent role.

Purpose of the Cabinet

There are ten Cabinet members with portfolios agreed by the Council. The Cabinet works within the policy of collective responsibility and its functions are:

  • to discharge all the functions of the authority which are not required by legislation to be discharged by the full Council, subject to any regulations made by the Secretary of State;
  • to implement the Council's policies and spending the bulk of the budget in accordance with the policy framework and the Council's financial rules and regulations;
  • to make recommendations on major policy and resources matters for decision by the Council;
  • (within the current legal framework) to be the collective consultee on decisions under delegated authority which require full Cabinet consultation, other significant policy matters affecting functions are discussed with individual Cabinet members within the Cabinet member's portfolio;
  • to give political direction and guidance to and monitor the performance of the Executive part of the Council; (those who manage and deliver services);
  • to provide political accountability for the Council's performance to the Council and to Scrutiny Committees; to foster and improve the Council's performance as a partner with other bodies.

Purpose of Scrutiny Committees

The purpose of each Scrutiny Committee is, within its remit, to take an independent leadership role in the Council's efforts to improve continuously the performance of its services and functions and the policies and strategies within which they operate. Nine councillors who are not in the Cabinet have been appointed to each of the ten Scrutiny Committees.

The Leader of the Council has stated that: "We want the Cabinet's relationship with the Scrutiny Committees to be one of co-operation rather than conflict, with the Cabinet relying on the Committees to assist it with in-depth enquiries and representing individual's and groups' interests more effectively than in the past." "Unlike the previous committee system we expect the Scrutiny Committees to have more open agendas, and to encourage local people and stakeholders to contribute to the process so the issues of real local concern are examined - not just those put forward by officials."

To achieve their aims each committee will:

  • monitor and evaluate the performance of relevant services and functions;
  • review relevant services and functions;
  • review the effectiveness and appropriateness of relevant Council policies, including assessment of the effectiveness of policy implementation;
  • propose and recommend improvements to the Council's services, functions and policies;
  • review the Council's performance in achieving community consultation , involvement and participation and make recommendations for improvement;
  • comment and advise on service, policy and other proposals made by the Cabinet or the Council's management Board, including comment to the Council on Cabinet recommendations;
  • consider, comment on and propose amendments to the budget proposed by the Cabinet;
  • review decisions made under delegated authority and make comments and recommendations to the Cabinet and the Council's Management Board;
  • refer any decisions, actual or contemplated, which are deemed by the panel to be improper or non-compliant to the Compliance Committee; and
  • review action taken in response to petitions and delegations and make comments and recommendations to the Cabinet and the Council's Management Board.

Executive Management Board

In addition to the above, the Council has undertaken an extensive reorganisation of its services.

The Executive Management Board of the Council involving the Chief Executive and Executive Directors for Environmental Services, Lifelong Learning, Community Services and Corporate Services now meets weekly. This replaces a cumbersome officer management team involving 13 or more officers. The Management Board is responsible for strategic planning and managing all Council services.

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Contact Us:

Democratic Services
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
Walthamstow  E17 4JF

Tel: 020 8496 3000
Email: councillors@walthamforest.gov.uk