1. Purpose of the report and policy context

1.1 To note the Councillors appointed to Cabinet and as Cabinet Advisors by the Leader of the Council.

1.1

2. Recommendations

2.1 That Council notes the appointment of Cabinet Members and Cabinet Advisors by the Leader as set out in Appendix A.

3. Context and background information

3.1 The Cabinet comprises the Leader of the Council, the Deputy Leader and up to eight other Councillors. The Deputy Leader and Cabinet are appointed by the Leader of the Council who also has authority to revoke these appointments.

3.2 The Leader is responsible for all of the Council’s executive functions which are not the responsibility of any other part of the Council, whether by law or under the Constitution. The Leader allocates, and may re-assign or vary, the portfolios of Cabinet members and determines which functions should be delegated to Cabinet and to individual Cabinet Members. The details of the appointments and the proposed allocation of responsibilities to Cabinet and to each Cabinet Member are set out Part 2 E of the Council’s new Constitution.

3.3 Up to four Cabinet Advisors will support the Leader and Cabinet on specific policy areas. Cabinet Advisors are appointed by the Leader to lead on a specific policy area for a duration of 12 months. Cabinet Advisors will not be members of Cabinet and will not have decision making powers.

3.4 Proceedings of the Cabinet will take place in accordance with the Cabinet Procedures and the Access to Information Procedure Rules set out in Parts 3B and 3E of the Constitution.

4. Analysis and consideration of alternative options

4.1 This report is to note the appointments made by the Leader for information.

5. Community engagement and consultation

5.1 None specifically arising from the report.

6. Conclusion

6.1 The appointment of Cabinet Members is the prerogative of the Leader of the Council and the appointments are reported for information and transparency to full Council. Once confirmed by the Leader, they will be set out at Part 2E of the Council’s Constitution and may be updated in accordance with any changes made by the Leader.

7. Financial implications

7.1 There are no direct financial implications arising from the recommendation of this report. Details of the basic and special responsibility allowances payable to Cabinet Members is included in the Independent Renumeration Panel report on the Members Allowances Scheme elsewhere on this agenda.

Name of finance officer consulted: James Hengeveld Date consulted: 07/05/24

8. Legal implications

8.1 The Local Government Act 2000, Part II, makes provisions for the establishment of a leader and cabinet executive. Section 9E of the Local Government Act 2000 sets out the arrangements for discharge of executive functions in the case of a leader and cabinet executive, as described in this report.

Section 9E of the LGA 2000 provides as follows:

9E Discharge of functions: general

(1) … any functions which, under executive arrangements, are the responsibility of—

… (b) a leader and cabinet executive are to be discharged in accordance with this section.

(2) The senior executive member [who is defined as the leader in subs (8)]

(a) may discharge any of those functions, or

(b) may arrange for the discharge of any of those functions— (i) by the executive, (ii)by another member of the executive, (iii) by a committee of the executive, (iv) by an area committee, or (v) by an officer of the authority.

Name of lawyer consulted: Elizabeth Culbert Date consulted 060524

9. Equalities implications

9.1 None specifically arising from the report.

10. Sustainability implications

10.1 None specifically arising from the report.

Supporting Documentation

Appendices

1. Appendix A – Appointment of Cabinet Members & Cabinet Advisors