The
Council, comprising all 50 Members of the Council, meets on a
regular basis and has overall responsibility for agreeing new
policies recommended by the Executive.
Council
also makes major decisions such as setting the Council Tax,
adopting the policy framework and
appointing the Leader of the Council. It is at Council meetings
where the actions of the Executive can be questioned and debated.
Reports from the Council's other committees are also received and
discussed.
Council
meetings (which the public are welcome to attend) also provide an
opportunity for the public to raise issues of concern via Public
Question Time and Petitions.
Council
meetings are webcast – details can be found here -
EastHertsDistrict - YouTube
Annual
Council Meeting (ACM)
The
Annual Council meeting is held in May each year and is where the
Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Council are appointed for the
ensuing civic year.
The
Chairman and the Vice Chairman represent the Council at civic and
community events, both within the district and outside. Another
task of the ACM is to appoint Scrutiny and Regulatory Committee
Chairmen (and Vice-Chairmen) and members to the individual
committees.
It is
at the ACM after an ordinary election that the Leader and Deputy
Leader of the Council are appointed. Members are appointed to the
Executive in accordance with the wishes of the Leader. The Leader
effectively serves a 4 year term of
office which ends with the day of the next ordinary election of the
Councillors.