Since May 2002 the Council has had a Leader and Executive structure. The Executive is like a central government cabinet, with individuals making decisions on behalf of the Council. The Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) committees are like the select committees at Westminster, holding the Executive to account by examining and questioning decisions made. The PDS committees are also able to research issues and suggest ideas for future policies.
Mayor
Each year the 60 local ward councillors elect one of their number as Mayor. The Mayor is the civic figurehead and chairs Council meetings.
Leader and Executive
The Council appoints a Leader and eight other Members to sit on the Executive for one year. This Executive provides political leadership and proposes policies and budgets. It meets monthly, taking decisions by majority vote. Six councillors have portfolio responsibilities and are appointed from the political party forming the administration of the Council. A Member from each of the two largest minority groups also sits on the Executive, giving it a membership of nine.
The Executive and PDS committees are organised around portfolios, each portfolio being represented by a Member of the Executive from the majority political party. The portfolios cover:
Adult and Community;
Children and Young People;
Environment;
Public Protection and Safety;
Renewal and Recreation; and
Resources.
Decision making
When key decisions are to be made by the Executive, these are published in the Council's Forward Plan. Key decisions are those above a financial threshold or which have a significant impact. The Executive has to make decisions that are in line with the Council's overall policy and budget framework. If it wishes to make a decision which is outside the budget or policy framework, this must be referred to the Council as a whole to decide. Executive Members with portfolio responsibilities can also take decisions on important issues.
Committees
Policy Development and Scrutiny Committees: There are six Policy Development and Scrutiny (PDS) Committees. These have a major role in policy development and scrutinising the decisions of the Executive. They have no decision-making powers but make reports and recommendations which advise the Executive and the Council as a whole on its policies, budget and service delivery. Policy Development and Scrutiny Committees also monitor the decisions of the Executive and can challenge or 'call-in' a decision that has been made by the Executive. This enables them to consider whether the decision of the Executive was appropriate. They may recommend that the Executive reconsider the decision. They may also be consulted by the Executive or the Council on forthcoming decisions and the development of policy.
General Purposes and Licensing Committee: Legislation prevents all the Council's powers being exercised by the Executive so there is a General Purposes and Licensing Committee which deals with quasi-legal issues such as licensing and with staffing and audit matters.
Development Control Committee carries out the Council's planning functions. Plans Sub-Committees meet every fortnight to consider planning applications and related matters.
Standards Committee
A Standards Committee has been set up to promote and maintain high standards of conduct in all the Council's activities.
The Committee comprises five councillors and five people independent of the Council. The Chairman is one of these independent people. The Committee's task is to maintain and monitor high standards of conduct in all the Council's activities.
Meetings
A forward plan of key decisions is published four months in advance of relevant meetings, giving details of decisions to be made and who will be making them. This forward plan is updated monthly.
Agendas and reports are available to members of the public five working days before any meeting.
Meetings of the Executive and committees are held in the Civic Centre. Members of the public are very welcome to attend (except in limited cases where personal or confidential matters are being discussed).
Agendas, reports and minutes of Council's portfolios and committees.
Members of the public can ask questions at all scheduled Council, Executive and committee meetings.
Further information about Question time.
Contact
Telephone: 020 8313 4745
Fax: 020 8290 0608
E-mail: committee.services@bromley.gov.uk
Address: Democratic Services, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH.
Office hours: Mon to Fri 8.45am to 5pm