A formal meeting of all elected councillors is known as the Council.
The Council is responsible for making some of the most important decisions affecting the local authority. These include approving key plans and strategies, setting the council’s budget, and determining council tax levels. It oversees overall policy and finances, as well as service areas that are not delegated to the Cabinet.
Most Council meetings are open to the public, except when confidential or sensitive matters are being discussed. These meetings provide an opportunity for members of the public and councillors to ask questions about council activities and local issues.
The Council also elects the Leader of the Council, who serves a four-year term. The Leader chairs the Cabinet and appoints other councillors to serve as Cabinet members, who are responsible for day-to-day decision-making.
Each year, a long-serving councillor is appointed as the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane. The Mayor serves a one-year term of office, with appointments changing each May.
The role of the Mayor is non-political and focuses on representing the borough at civic and community events. The Mayor acts as an ambassador for the area, promoting its interests and supporting local organisations and initiatives where appropriate.
The Cabinet, also known as the Executive, is the council’s main day-to-day decision-making body. Its meetings are usually open to the public, except when personal or confidential matters are being considered.
The Leader of the Council appoints councillors to serve on the Cabinet. Each Cabinet member, known as a Portfolio Holder, is responsible for a specific area of council business, referred to as their portfolio.
The Leader also chairs Cabinet meetings and oversees the work of the Cabinet as a whole.
The SLT is responsible for the day-to-day management of the council and its services. This team is led by the Chief Executive, who oversees the organisation’s overall operations and performance.
The council employs professional staff, known as officers, to provide expert advice to councillors, implement decisions, and manage the delivery of services to the local community.
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