How we make decisions
How we make decisions
The Council's constitution explains:
- how the Council operates
- how decisions are made
- the procedures we follow
This is to ensure our decision-making is efficient, transparent and accountable to residents.
Councillors
There are 48 elected councillors.
The borough has 19 areas known as wards. 10 are represented by 3 councillors, and 9 are represented by 2 councillors. Every councillor represents the interests of all the residents in their ward. This includes those who did not vote for them. They also have a duty to make decisions in the best interests of the borough as a whole.
Councillors are elected by the residents of their ward for a 4-year term.
Learn more about voting and elections
Committees
The Council operates a committee form of governance.
This means there are a group of councillors who sit on committees and make significant strategic decisions.
The committees are appointed by the Full Council. Their membership reflects the overall political balance on the Council.
Paid professionals make the day-to-day decisions on council services. This is not done by councillors.