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Councillors usually stand for local election as representatives of national political parties. The current political composition of Cheshire County Council following the May 2005 election is:
Conservative - 26
Labour - 16
Liberal Democrat - 8
Independent - 1
When are councillors elected?
Elections for the County Council are normally held on the first Thursday in May every four years. However, Local Government Reorganisation in Cheshire means that Shadow Authorities are to be elected on 1 May 2008, with the main function of preparing for the transition to single tier local government on 1st April 2009. The County Council and the six District Councils will be abolished on this date.
What do councillors do?
The County Council makes policy and takes decisions that affect the people of Cheshire. They employ officers to implement policies and deliver local services such as education, social services, libraries, roads, strategic planning, and trading standards. They decide how the Council's budget should be allocated and spent.
How often do councillors meet?
The full Council meets five times a year; this includes the Annual Meeting which takes place in May, and the Budget Meeting in February. Meetings are held in County Hall, Chester and members of the public are encouraged to attend - Meetings Open to the Public.
The Diary of Council business is also available via our Political Information Network.
How are decisions made within the Council?
The County Council has an Executive/Leader decision making system as required under the Local Government Act 2000. Here the Council sets the Policy and Planning framework and the Budget within which Executive decisions must be made. Most decisions are then taken by the full Executive or individual Executive Members who have responsibility for specific areas of the Council's business. Business of a Regulatory nature, such as determining strategic planning application or rights of way matters, is dealt with by appropriate committees.
The Council's Constitution sets out in detail how the Council operates, the responsibilities of the Council, the Executive, Committees and Officers and the various procedural rules which govern the way the Council deals with its business.
How can I find out what councillors are going to discuss?
Agendas for Council and the various other meetings are available from Council and Committee Services approximately one week before the meeting, and can be seen on our website (Political Information Network). The Forward Plan is a list of key decisions likely to be taken in the following three months. It is published two weeks before the beginning of the first month.
How can I find out what has been decided?
Decisions taken at meeting are usually available approximately two weeks after the meeting. A book is produced one week before each full Council meeting setting out the decisions of appropriate bodies of the Council.
Decisions are also available on our Political Information Network which lists council papers and what decisions have been made.
Council and Committee Services
Council and Committee Services is a group of officers who work closely with and support the Members of the Council. They produce the agendas and record of decisions / minutes for meetings; ensure that Members are sent the correct paperwork for each meeting; and arrange where the meetings are held and who should attend. They also ensure that the correct procedures are followed, some of which are required by law.
For enquiries concerning Councillors, Committees etc contact:
Brian Reed, Member Support and Development Policy Manager - telephone: 01244 972205 or
Mike Flynn, County Secretary - telephone: 01244 972260
Local Government in Cheshire
County Councillors listed by Name and District |