The 'Decision-Making Process'

In May 2000, the Council replaced the traditional Committee system with a new system that used a Cabinet-style decision-making process, Overview Panels, and the existing Neighbourhood Committees. After the elections in May 2002, the Liberal Democrat Council introduced an Executive in place of the Cabinet, but the system adopted in May 2000 is largely intact. The Executive proposes action on issues within its responsibility and along with the Neighbourhood committees are the only genuine decision making bodies. Decisions of the Executive and Neighbourhood can be called in and sent to the Scrutiny Panel.

Neighbourhoods and Wards

 

The Executive

The Executive comprises the Leader of the Council and six Executive Members (all Liberal Democrats), who are each responsible for a portfolio of services. The Executive produces proposals on matters within its responsibility. It does this after considering reports from officers and considering the views of fellow Councillors, local residents and interest groups. The Executive meets every three weeks and the meetings are open to the public.

 

Executive Member

Responsibility

Cllr. Derek Osbourne

 Council Leader, Environment & Climate Change

Cllr. Penny Sheton

Healthy Living & Adult Support

Cllr. Simon James

Sustainable Place

Cllr. Francis Moseley

 Better Homes

Cllr. Rolson Davies

Finance & One Council

Cllr. Patricia Bamford

Safeguarding & Children First

Cllr. Liz Green

 Deputy Leader & Education for All
   
 

Scrutiny Panel

The role of the Scrutiny Panel is to hold the Executive to account by carrying out a scrutiny on items that are due to come before the Executive. The Panel also carries out a regular performance review of the Councilïs services and functions. Members can draw important matters to the attention of the Scrutiny Panel by using the Councilïs Call-in procedure. All decisions that have been 'called-in' will be dealt with by the Panel.

 

There are 15 Councillors on the Scrutiny Panel which is chaired by the Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Howard Jones. It was originally intended that the Scrutiny Panel would have an in-built Opposition majority to underline its role in holding the Executive to account. Unfortunately that is now not the case, but the Leader of the Council has indicated that not all Liberal Democrat Members will attend meetings to ensure that the original intention of the Panel being Opposition led can be retained.

 

The Scrutiny Panel generally has meetings scheduled on a monthly basis.
 
Scrutiny Panel

Cllr. Howard Jones (Chair)

 

Cllr. John Burgess

 

Cllr. David Cunningham (Vice Chair)

 

Cllr. Tim Dennen

 

Cllr. Andrea Craig

 

Cllr. Vicki Harris

 

Cllr. Eric Humphrey

 

Cllr. Mary Heathcote

 

Cllr. Priyen Patel

 

Cllr. Umesh Parekh

 

Cllr. Dennis Doe

 

Cllr. David Ryder-Mills

 

Cllr. Robert John Tasker

 

Cllr. Y. Yoganathan

 

 

 

Cllr. Malcolm Self

  
       

Neighbourhood Committees

Each of the four Neighbourhoods is made up of the Councillors representing the electoral wards in that Neighbourhood. The Neighbourhoods are responsible for local issues such as traffic, parking, planning applications, parks and open spaces and local libraries. Neighbourhood meetings are held in local venues, so that residents can come to meetings. Local people are able to ask questions, present petitions and give their views on the issues at hand.

The Neighbourhood (co) Chairmen are:

     

Kingston Town

 

 Cllr. D. Ryder-Mills Cllr. B. O'Mahony

Maldens & Coombe

 

 Cllr. Patrick Codd Cllr. James White

Surbiton

 

 Cllr. Yogan Yoganathan Cllr. Bob Steed

South of the Borough

 

 Cllr. Rachel Reid Cllr. Vicki Harris

 

 

    
 

Other Bodies

These include:

 

 

Development Control

Planning Applications (large applictions not for Neighbourhoods)

Licensing

Deals with new licensing powers

Senior Staff Panel

Makes appointments to senior officer posts

Standards Committee

Deals with the conduct of Councillors

   

 

Copies of all agendas can be viewed and downloaded from the Royal Borough of Kingston Council website at www.kingston.gov.uk