Cabinet, Committees, Panels and Forums

Council

All Members meet together as the Council. The Council is responsible for approving key strategic policies and for setting the council budget.

Cabinet

The Royal Borough operates a Cabinet system, which consist of the Leader of the Council (appointed by Council) and 7 Cabinet Members (appointed by the Leader). Cabinet is responsible for making most of the Council's decisions. Details of the decisions to be taken by Cabinet are published in the Forward Plan. Each Cabinet Member has a portfolio which covers an individual area of responsiblilty in which they make decisions.

Development Control Panels

There are three Development Control Panels that cover the Borough and deal with planning applications that are not delegated to the officers.

Licensing Panel and Sub-Committee

The Licensing Panel is responsible for licensing and registration matters, including consultation wth representatives of the Hackney Carriage and Private Hire trade. The Licensing Panel Sub-Committee comprises three Members who are drawn from the membership of the Licensing Panel and hears licensing applications under the Licensing Act 2003 that Officers are unable to determine under delegated authority.

Overview and Scrutiny Panels

The four Overview and Scrutiny Panels are responsible for ensuring that the "Executive" accounts for its performance in implementing the Council's policies and strategies effectively. The Panels have the authority to ask Cabinet Members and Senior Officers to attend meetings to explain their actions and decisions taken.

Town Forums

The Maidenhead Town Forum and the Windsor Town Forum provide a means whereby the Council can consult with local communities. The Town Forums are consultative bodies acting in an advisory capacity to the Cabinet, although there is the potential to devolve some decision-making powers to them at a future date.

Panels and Forums

There are a number of Panels and Forums which provide the opportunity for members of the public, service users, partner organisations and other interested parties to work together with Councillors to contribute towards policy development across a range of issues.

Further Details

Further details on the role and responsibilities of the Cabinet and the various Committees, Panels and Forums are detailed in the Borough's Constitution.

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