The Local Government Act 2000 changed the structure under which Councils in England and Wales operated. Instead of the committee-based, decision-making system that had existed since 1974, the new system was based on either a directly elected Mayor or a Leader and Executive (commonly referred to as a ‘Cabinet’) model. In the case of Dover District Council, the Leader and Cabinet model was adopted.
The Cabinet, which includes the Leader of the Council, is the Executive, or decision-making body, of the Council. The Cabinet meets once a month and consists of eight councillors who are appointed by the Leader. Cabinet members are usually drawn from the largest political group on the Council. Each member of the Cabinet has responsibility for one or more areas of Council work (known as ‘portfolios’), such as environment, transport, etc. The Cabinet’s role is to make decisions on day-to-day matters, consistent with the Council’s overall policies and budget. Where Cabinet decisions fall outside the Council’s policy and budget strategy, these must be referred to the Council for consideration as a whole.
Key decisions to be taken by the Cabinet are set out in the Council’s Forward Plan, which can be found on this website under the heading ‘Key Decisions’. Further information about the executive and decision-making process can be found in the Council’s Constitution.
All meetings of Dover District Council’s Cabinet are open to the public and further details can be found on the website under ‘Access to Information’. The meetings are usually held at the Council Offices, Whitfield although the Cabinet will meet in other locations as deemed appropriate from time to time.
Kate Batty-Smith, a member of the Democratic Support team, supports the Cabinet at meetings. For further information on the Cabinet’s meetings and agendas, please contact Kate on the details below.
Contact:
Democratic Services
Tel: 01304 872303
E-mail: democraticservices@dover.gov.uk
