The Council and its Democratic Structure
The Council's duties and services are managed by the elected councillors (known within the Council as 'members') through a democratic structure.
In accordance with government legislation, the County Council has put in place:
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A single party cabinet (the Executive Board) of ten members;
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An 'Overview & Scrutiny' function comprising members who are not on the Executive Board:
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A cross party Scrutiny Committee of twelve members;
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Five cross party scrutiny sub-committees of between six and eight council members, focussed on service areas;
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A Standards Committee of four elected members and four independent members and chaired by one of the independent members;
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A cross party Regulation Committee of twelve members.
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The Democratic Structure in detail
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Full Council
Who's on it? The 58 elected members of Somerset County Council.
The full Council is responsible for:
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Deciding the democratic arrangements for the Council, including the detailed decision-making arrangements;
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Agreeing the policy framework for the Council and each year's budget;
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In addition, the Council has a wider responsibility to consider any matter affecting Somerset or its inhabitants.
The Council meets four times a year and members of the public are welcome to attend and speak (subject to certain restrictions). Two full Council events are also held each year, focussing on specific issues and the Council's community leadership responsibilities.
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Executive Board
Who's on it? Ten members including the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council.
For the 2005 -2009 quadrennium all members are from the Liberal Democrat party, which has the largest number of 'seats' on the Council.
The Executive Board is the main decision-making body of the council and is responsible for its day-to-day running, within the policy and budget frameworks set by full Council. It ensures the delivery of the Council's services.
Each member of the Board (except the Leader) has responsibility for a portfolio of services and are known as Executive Portfolio-holders. They are the 'lead member' for the service areas identified, although key decision-making remains the duty of the entire Board. Other decisions can be delegated to individual Executive Portfolio-holders or officers under the scheme of delegation, detailed in the council's constitution.
The Board meets on a four weekly cycle, normally on a Wednesday morning, although this is subject to change.
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Regulation Committee
Who's on it? Twelve members (political balance – 6 Lib Dem; 5 Conservatives; 1 Labour)
This is the other principle decision-making body of the Council, but its powers are limited in the main to dealing with the Council's regulatory responsibilities, mainly in the areas of planning control (for example major planning applications for quarry extensions).
It usually meets on the first Tuesday of each month, in the afternoon.
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The principles of public scrutiny are to:
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Provide a 'critical friend' challenge to executive policy-makers and decision-makers
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Support and ensure the voice and concerns of local people and the wider community are heard
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Assist in driving improvement in public services
Scrutiny does not make decisions, but seeks to influence decision-makers. It does not investigate individual complaints; the council has a separate complaints process. Members of the Executive Board are not allowed to be members of the Scrutiny Committee or its sub-committees.
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Scrutiny Committee
Who's on it? Twelve members (political balance – 6 Lib Dem; 5 Conservatives; 1 Labour)
The primary functions of the Scrutiny Committee are to examine any actions or decisions taken by the authority in the course of its business and to assist the Executive Board with the review and development of policy.
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Scrutiny Sub-Committees
Who's on them? Each Scrutiny Sub-Committee has between six and eight elected members.
The Children and Young People's Scrutiny Sub-Committee also has five non-elected voting members when considering educational matters. The Health Scrutiny Sub Committee has five District Council representatives and seven lay members as part of its overall membership. These additional members all have voting rights.
The role of the Scrutiny Sub-Committees is to scrutinise the services provided by the Children and Young Peoples, Environment, Resources and Community directorates, and matters relating to the health service within Somerset with a particular emphasis on the performance of services.
In addition, they review and recommend changes to existing policies and can assist in developing new ones.
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Pensions Committee
Who's on it? Four elected members along with three representatives from bodies such as the Avon and Somerset Police Authority and the district councils.
The main role of this Committee is to carry out the Council's obligations with regard to the Pension Fund for employees.
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Officer Appeals Committee
Who's on it? Three to five elected members are chosen from a group of twelve to sit on each hearing. The group is politically proportioned in accordance with the overall membership of the Council.
The Committee hears and decides appeals from employees of the Council against dismissal from the employment of the Council or the rejection of a complaint under the grievance procedure.
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Special Accounts Committee
Who's on it? There are ten elected members politically proportioned in accordance with the overall membership of the Council.
The Committee approves the Council's yearly accounts, and looks at any issues the accounts audit raises.
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Standards Committee
Who's on it? Four elected members and four independent members. An independent member chairs the Committee.
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