The Full Council is the ultimate decision-making body of
the Council (subject to any legislative restrictions). All
Councillors attend Full Council
meetings (normally six meetings per year excluding special
meetings) and at the Annual Full Council meeting which is normally
held in May after the local government elections, Councillors are appointed to specific positions
such as the Leader and the Chair of the Council.
1.
Approve the
Constitution (including political management structure, Council
Procedure Rules, Standing Orders, Terms of Reference, Delegation
Scheme, Financial Regulations and codes of conduct, subject to
paragraph 16 below).
2.
Appoint the Chair of
the Council.
3.
Appoint the Vice-Chair
of the Council.
4.
Appoint the Leader of
the Council.
5.
Make appointments to
Committees subject to paragraph 16 below.
6.
Agree and amend the
terms of reference and delegated powers of Committees and Officers,
subject to paragraph 16 below.
7.
Agree the policy
framework together with the following individual strategies/policy
documents:
·
The Corporate Plan
·
Medium Term Financial Strategy
·
Community Cohesion Strategy
·
Housing Strategy and Business Plan
·
Homelessness Strategy
·
Licensing Policy and Statement
·
Local Development Framework
·
Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy
8.
Approve the
following:
·
Council Tax
·
General Fund, Housing Revenue Account and Capital
Expenditure Estimates
·
Housing rent levels (including domestic
garages)
·
Members' Allowances Scheme
·
Applications to the Secretary of State for the
transfer of housing land.
9.
Appointment of
Honary Aldermen at meetings called
specifically for this purpose.
10.
Appointment and
dismissal of the Chief Executive and Statutory Officers subject to
any statutory provision.
11.
Resolve differences
between the Cabinet, the Scrutiny Committee or the Call-In
Sub-Committee.
12.
Review and make
appointments to external organisations
except where delegated.
13.
Deal with other
matters not within the terms of reference of any other
Committee.
14.
To receive the reports
of Statutory Officers made under Section 114 of the Local
Government Finance Act 1988 or the Local Government and Housing Act
1989.
15.
Such other matters as
the Full Council may from time to time reserve to itself or as may
be reserved to Full Council by law.
16.
Deciding on departures
from Council policies, strategies and budgets as previously
agreed.
17.
Paragraphs 1, 5 and 6
above are subject to the functions delegated to the Licensing
Committee by the Council under the Licensing Act 2003:- in respect of:
·
the establishment of Sub-Committees;
·
regulation of its own procedure and that of its
Sub-Committees; and
·
arrangements for the discharge of its functions by a
Sub-Committee or Officer(s).
Meetings are open to members of
the public, except for when confidential information is being
considered.
Members of the public may
ask questions at
most meetings of the Council. Exceptions include the Annual Council
meeting (held around May each year) and Special
Meetings.
Meetings of the Council are
sometimes filmed. You can watch footage of Council meetings that
have been filmed at http://www.harlow.gov.uk/webcasts