Decision Making in Thanet

Our Constitution sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures we follow to ensure that decisions are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Our decision making structure is made up of the following parts:

A – The full Council sits as a body with responsibility for strategic policy and decision making, including setting the council tax and budgets.

Comprises: All 56 councillors

Chairman: Cllr John Kirby

B – The Cabinet makes most of the day to day decisions of the Council. It comprises of the leader of the Council together with six other cabinet members with individual responsibility for Economy and Culture, Safer Neighbourhoods, Commercial and Environmental Services, Housing, Health and Communities, Finance, Improvement and Customer Services.

Comprises: 7 Councillors

Chairman: Cllr Sandy Ezekiel, Leader of the Council

C – Overview and Scrutiny reviews the work and decisions of the Executive Board, reviews all areas of the Council’s work, carries out specific projects and investigations and considers any matter, or service provided by an outside organisation, which affects residents in the district.

Comprises: 15 Councillors

Chairman: Cllr Bob Bayford

D – Standards Committee promotes and maintains high standards of conduct by members of the district council and local parish councils.

Comprises: 8 Councillors, 3 Independent members of the public, 2 parish council representatives

Chairman: Mrs Jennifer Sterndale

E – Planning Committee makes decisions on planning applications and enforcement items, and advises the Cabinet on planning policy.

Comprises: 15 Councillors

Chairman: Cllr William Hayton

F – Licensing Committee deals with licensed premises and persons under the Licensing Act, gambling, regulation of taxis and private hire, pet shops and other animal establishments and other activities.

Comprises: 15 Councillors

Chairman: Cllr Margaret Sheldrick

G – Governance and Audit Committee monitors the processes and systems that we use,

ensuring that we are doing the right things, in the right

way, for the right people.

Comprises: 8 Councillors

Chairman: Cllr Jill Kirby

H – Joint Transportation Board deals with issues relating to highways, travel, transport and parking, making recommendations to the relevant cabinet member from either Kent County or Thanet District Council.

Comprises: 8 Councillors and 8 representatives from Kent County Council

Chairman: Cllr Ken Gregory

Next: Our Key Partnerships

Back to: 2006-7 Annual Report to Residents