About the Council and its Constitution

Introduction

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:

Appointed a Leader of Council, who has formed a single party cabinet of eight members (together they take key decisions and are responsible for the day-to-day running of the Council)
Three cross party Scrutiny Committees:
Scrutiny for Policies and Places
Scrutiny for Policies, Children and Families
Scrutiny for Policies, Adults and Health
A cross party Regulation Committee of nine members, responsible for the Council’s planning and regulatory functions

The full County Council of 55 elected members is responsible for deciding the democratic arrangements for the Council and agreeing our policy framework and each year’s budget.

The Council's Constitution

The Constitution of Somerset County Council is a document detailing how decisions are made and the procedures followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

We are required by the Local Government Transparency Code 2015 to publish details of our constitution. You can find the documents in Downloads.

If you would like more information about the Council and its Constitution please contact:

Community Governance
Somerset County Council
County Hall
Taunton
Somerset
TA1 4DY

Email: democraticservices@somerset.gov.uk
Phone: 01823 357628

Terms and conditions of access and re-use

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