How we make decisions
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Full Council
All 63 councillors sit as the Full Council.
Certain important decisions must be taken by the Full Council such as setting the budget and agreeing significant policies and strategies (known as the policy framework).
The Full Council also acts as the central forum for debate on matters of importance to Barnet.
Cabinet (Executive)
The Council operates Leader and Cabinet 'executive arrangements'. This means that the Cabinet (or Executive) is responsible for day-to-day decision making on most services such as education, highways, housing, leisure, libraries, parking, refuse collection, street cleansing and social services.
The Cabinet must operate within the agreed budget and policy framework.
The Cabinet comprises the Leader of the Council and nine other Portfolio Holders (or Cabinet Members). Cabinet Members are chosen by the Leader and are from the majority Group on the Council. Each Portfolio Holder has a remit of responsibilities in relation to areas of Council functions.
Details of the decisions that are due to be taken by the Cabinet are set out in the Cabinet Forward Plan.
Overview and Scrutiny Committees
The Cabinet is held to account by Overview and Scrutiny committees and sub-committees.
Under Barnet’s arrangements, some major decisions that are due to go to the Executive for decision may first be considered by the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny committee or sub-committee to enable non-executive councillors to have an input into the development of policy.
Overview and Scrutiny has a wider role in reviewing and challenging decisions made by the council and its partners, undertaking investigations into services or policy areas, and making evidenced based recommendations to improve local services.
More about Overview and Scrutiny
Other Committees and Boards
Some functions undertaken by the Council are not the responsibility of the Cabinet (Executive), these are known as ‘council functions’.
Decisions in relation to these matters are taken by various committees each of which has specific functions and responsibilities such as planning, licensing, pensions and audit.
By law, these committees must be politically balanced.
The Council also has a number of partnerships such as the Health & Wellbeing Board and Safer Communities Partnership Board.
Delegated decisions
Portfolio Holders and officers have authority to make some decisions under delegated powers
Decisions made are published here.