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Elected Members and the Council's Political Makeup

Elected Members

Surrey Heath Borough Council consists of 40 members (increased from 36 in May 2003) who are elected by voters in each of the 16 electoral wards.

The political balance of the Council is:

• 30 Conservative Members
• 7 Liberal Democrat Members
• 2 Labour Members
• 1 Independent Member

(The residents of the Borough, in separate elections, also vote to elect six members to represent them at Surrey County Council see www.surreycc.gov.uk/members/membook.nsf/webSelectMember?openform Opens in a new window )

Leader of the Council

Since May 2002, the Council has adopted new political arrangements which provide for a Leader of the Council and Executive to conduct the business of the Council within the policy set by the Council. Decisions are therefore taken by the full Council, some committees and the Executive. In addition, the Council has agreed that some decisions can be taken by officers as set out in Scheme of Delegation of Functions to Officers in Part 3 - Section C of the Constitution.

Political Balance

Apart from the Executive and the Standards Committee all committees of the Council must be politically balanced. The membership of all committees and the Executive is agreed by the Council on the nomination of the leaders of the party groups. The Council has agreed that the Executive shall comprise members from the majority group (Conservative) and that the Standards Committee shall be politically balanced.