Decision-making
At the Vale of Glamorgan Council we have a Leader and Cabinet
model of local government, used to make decisions on matters the
council is required by law to deal with. The council also offers a
forum for open, public debates on issues of importance to the local
community.
How are council decisions made?
The basic decision-making process can be explained in four
stages:
Stage one
The Cabinet, made up
of the Leader
of the Council and up to nine other councillors, uses its
Executive Powers to make most of the Council's decisions on
services, functions and Corporate management, including plans and
strategies. Some key matters, such as setting the Budget, remain a
matter for Council to decide. Cabinet meetings take place every
fortnight, and are chaired by the Leader. During these meetings,
issues are raised and discussed, then decisions are
made.
Stage two
The Agenda for the Cabinet meeting is sent to all Members of the
Council at the same time as the Cabinet Members. The day after the
Cabinet meeting, any decisions that were made are sent to
all Members of the Council, along with copies of reports
on which the Cabinet based its decisions. Any councillor then has
the opportunity to "call-in" an item for further
scrutiny. Four scrutiny committees operate to deal with
these requests.
Stage three
The Chief
Executive passes these items to the Chairman of the relevant
Scrutiny Committee who decides whether the item is "called-in". If
the Chairman agrees, the item will be reported to the
Scrutiny Committee.
Stage four
The Scrutiny Committee can then do one of three things. It can
refer the matter back to the Cabinet for further
consideration with recommendation; it can accept the report
as drafted, which will be then be put to the next
appropriate Cabinet meeting for ratification; or, in certain
circumstances, it can refer the matter to full
council. However, if the matter was one for Executive
decision, Council will be able to recommend to Cabinet. If it is a
matter for Council then a decision can be made at the Council
meeting.
The Council has also appointed various other committees to deal
with planning, licensing and appeals issues.
It works closely with the voluntary sector and town and
community councils by means of the Voluntary Sector Joint Liaison
Committee and Community Liaison Committee respectively.
In addition, the Council is officially linked with Fecamp in
France, Rheinfelden in Germany, and Mouscron in Belgium and has a
friendship agreement with Jubarkus in Lithuania.