The way in which Stroud District Council does its business has changed!
Under the Local Government Act 2000, the Council has adopted a cabinet style of decision-making. It is required to set out the way it makes decisions in a constitution. It also has to publish details of the important Cabinet decisions it will be taking in a forward plan.
New Constitution
Stroud District Council was one of the first shire district councils to move to a new style of approach. These arrangements were the subject of extensive public consultation. The Council is required to publish details of...
- who makes decisions
- the way in which decisions are made and recorded
- the rights of citizens to ask for information
The Council has approved a document called a constitution that sets out all these details. This is freely available to all citizens in Stroud District. View the new constitution here
Political make-up of the Council
Stroud District Council began operating under a Leader and Cabinet style of government in May 2000. The full Council, comprising 51 elected Members, is the supreme body. The full Council meets roughly eight times per year. Amongst other duties, full Council sets the Budget (and Council Tax) and the policy framework within which all decisions must sit. It also chooses the Council Leader, who then selects his or her own Cabinet. The Council is elected by thirds. See current political structure for more details.
The Cabinet
Stroud District Council's Cabinet works in a similar way to the Government's Cabinet, which is headed by the Prime Minister. Stroud's Cabinet is made up of eight councillors and is headed by the Leader of the Council. They are responsible for guiding the Council by developing strategies and policies with the help of Policy Panels. These Policy Panels supplement the work of Cabinet members, enabling all Councillors to be involved in improving the services that the Council provides for the District.
Meet the Cabinet and find out what their responsibilities are.
Unlike the Government's Cabinet, Stroud's Cabinet meetings are open to the public. The work of the Cabinet is monitored by members of the Scrutiny Committees who can ask both Councillors and Officers to attend meetings and answer questions. There is also a Review Committee that is responsible for ensuring that the Council's Best Value projects are carried out.
Meetings are usually open to the public although when some matters are discussed, which may be commercially sensitive or relate to individual private circumstances, the public will be excluded from a portion of the meeting.
Find out how to have your say in council meetings.
Access details of meetings of the Cabinet, committees and policy panels, including dates, agendas / reports / minutes and membership.
Use Your Councillors to check which committees your local Councillor sits on.
