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Committee Descriptions

Opens in a new windowListed below is the Political structure relevant to the Full Council Executive and Committee arrangements at Surrey Heath. To read this document you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which is free to download Opens in a new window

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The full terms of reference of each of the bodies shown above is set out in the Council's Constitution. The Constitution details the Council's main working arrangements and is kept updated to reflect new working practices and changes in the law. Set out below is a brief summary of what each body does.

Council
Full Council is at the centre of decision making. All 40 councillors are collectively responsible for setting the Council's annual budget, major policies and the Council Tax levels each year. It meets approximately every eight weeks.

Members of the public may, with prior notice, ask questions of members of the Executive or chairmen and present petitions.
View a list of the Members of the Council

The Executive
The Executive makes the majority of service decisions and will implement policy. Seven members of the majority party form the Executive. They each have individual responsibilities (called portfolios), but make collective decisions. Many decisions are taken by senior officers under delegated powers. Any matters which are outside the terms of reference of the Executive will be taken by the full Council or a Committee. The Executive meets every three weeks.
View a list of the Executive Members Opens in a new window

Scrutiny Committees
The Council has set up four scrutiny committees to undertake the overview and scrutiny of the Council's decision-making processes. The responsibilities of the Scrutiny Committee include:

• developing and reviewing policy
• holding the Executive to account
• conducting best value reviews and comprehensive performance assessments of the services under their individual remit.

However the Scrutiny Committees do not take any decisions.

Each committee will meet at least five times a year.

No member of the Executive may be a Member of a Scrutiny Committee.

To help the scrutiny committees and to assist the Executive, the Council has set up various Working Groups to consider subjects in more detail.  The Council has also joint bodies with outside organisations.
View a list of members of the Community Scrutiny Committee Opens in a new window
View a list of members of the External Partnerships Scrutiny Committee Opens in a new window
View a list of members of the Leisure & Environment Scrutiny Committee Opens in a new window
View a list of members of the Policy & Resources Srutiny Committee Opens in a new window

Standards Committee
This Committee ensures that borough and parish councillors continue to meet high standards of ethics and probity, and may deal with complaints made against councillors. It meets five times a year, if necessary.

A feature of this Committee is that it contains three independent members of the public and one parish councillor representative.

There is also a Parishes Sub-Committee which deals solely with parish council matters. Each of the four parish councils in the Borough have a representative on this Sub-Committee. At least one independent member of the Standards Committee must also be present.
View a list of members of the Standards Committee

Planning Applications Committee
The Planning Applications Committee determines those planning applications and related matters which have not been dealt with by officers. It meets every four weeks, usually on a Monday.

Members of the public can speak at the committee in accordance with the Council's public participation scheme.
View a list of members of the Planning Applications Committee Opens in a new window

Licensing Committee
The Licensing Committee deals with public entertainment and environmental health matters, taxi licensing, Health and Safety at Work, the licensing of premises and all the licensing function under the Licensing Act 2003 in relation to the supply of alcohol, the provision of entertainment and late night refreshment.
View a list of members of the Licensing Committee Opens in a new window

The Adjudication Sub-Committee
To consider, in the light of representations received, applications for licences that are required under the Licensing Act 2003 to undertake licensable activities including supplying alcohol, prividing entertainment and late night refreshments.

The Public Entertainment and General Licensing Sub-Committee
To consider applications and matters relating to the Public Entertainment Licences made under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, hackney carriage and private hire licensing and other general licensing activities undertaken by the Council.  The Sub-Committee is not entitled to consider any matters in connection with licences required under the Licensing Act 2003.

Selection Committee
To consider the appointment of Councillors to outside bodies and organisations on which the Council is represented.  The Selection Committee meets once a year.

Appointments Committee
The Appointments Committee will make appointments for senior officers and independent members of the Standards Committee. It will also make recommendations to the full Council in respect of the appointment of the Chief Executive, as Head of Paid Service. Due to the personal nature of the matters discussed, the Committee is not open to the public.
View a list of members of the Appointments Committee Opens in a new window

Joint Staff Consultative Group/Appeals Committee
These two bodies deal with staff matters such as terms and conditions of employment and are not open to the public.

Youth Council
The Youth Council is made up of young people from around the Borough and considers youth issues and makes recommendations to the Executive.

The Youth Council has its own budget to put on events for young people in the Borough.