Role of the Cabinet
The
Cabinet has executive decision making responsibilities, in
accordance with the Council's agreed Budget and Policy Framework.
The Council's Constitution also provides for Individual Cabinet
Member Decision Making with a specific protocol and clear
delegations. There is a statutory obligation to publish a Forward
Plan of 'key decisions', which the Cabinet intends to take in the
four month period following the publication of the Forward
Plan. A key decision is one which
results in the Council incurring expenditure which is, or the
making of savings which are, significant with regard to the
Council's budget, or is significant in terms of its effect on
communities living or working in an area comprising two or more
electoral divisions. The Forward Plan is updated monthly and lists
the items for the Cabinet's consideration and contains the
particulars of the matters in respect of those decisions which are
to be made.
Attending Cabinet Meetings
Members
of the public are very welcome to attend and watch the proceedings
at meetings of the Cabinet. All Cabinet meetings are open to the
press and public (subject to various legislative exclusions) and
agendas and minutes are available online via the Council's Calendar
of Meetings. Cabinet meetings are normally held in Committee Rooms
1 and 2 at the Civic Centre, Esher and
commence at 7.00 p.m.
New Executive Arrangements
The
Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 required
Elmbridge Borough Council to make
changes to its decision-making arrangements. The new arrangements
came into effect immediately after the elections in May 2011.
Proposals in this regard were considered by the Council at a
Special Meeting on 6 October 2010.