Introduction
1 Under the Local Government Act 2000 and the appropriate Regulations,
the County Council is required to publish, on a monthly basis, details of those
Key Decisions which are likely to be taken by the Council's Executive over the
coming four month period.
2 A Key Decision is an executive decision which is likely:-
(a) to result in the County Council incurring expenditure which is, or the
making of savings which are, significant
having regard to the Council's budget for the service or function to which the
decision relates; or
(b) to be significant in terms of its effect on communities living or working in
an area comprising two or more electoral divisions in the area of the County
Council.
3 The County Council has decided in terms of the financial
part of the definition (2(a) above refers) to set a threshold whereby
expenditure or savings proposals above £1million shall be regarded as
significant and regarded therefore as a Key Decision.
4 The Council has decided that the letting of any contract by the County
Council's Manager/County Business Services Officer which involves the provision
of services to, or the purchase of goods and services by the County Council
shall be excluded from the definition of a Key Decision where such contracts
relate mainly to the internal workings of the Authority and do not therefore
have significant impact directly on local communities in the same way as other
Key Decisions. These include advertising, library books, vehicles, consumables,
food, gas , electricity and cleaning of County premises.
5 Under the second part of the definition, the Executive will also
include any proposals which relate to one division and where the Executive are
of the opinion that there would be a significant effect on the local community.
6 The Statutory Part (A) of the Plan gives details of Key Decisions which
the Executive has reason to believe will be considered and determined by the
Executive collectively, or individually, during the period covered by the Plan.
7 This Forward Plan will be up-dated on a monthly basis and will be
published at least 14 days in advance of the date on which it becomes operative
which is normally the first day of each month.
8 The Plan is open for public inspection and copies of any entry will be
supplied on request. You can also access the Plan on the County Council's
website (www.cheshire.gov.uk). The County Council is not permitted to disclose
any information which is classified as confidential or where the County Council
has determined that any information is exempt information as defined in the
relevant legislation.
9 There are special provisions in the Council's Constitution which enable
Key Decisions to be taken where it is impracticable to include the matter in
the Forward Plan, or the matter is urgent. Further details are contained in the
Constitution which is available for public inspection in Room 285 at County
Hall in Chester, or on the County Council's website.
10 If you require further advice or help, please telephone or e-mail the
Contact Officer listed on the front cover of this Plan.
Decision Takers
1 In this document the term "Full Executive" refers to the following
County Councillors, who have been appointed to that body by the County Council,
acting collectively:
| Leader and Executive Member for Policy and Performance (Cllr Paul Findlow) |
| Deputy Leader and Lead Member for Children's Services (Cllr David Rowlands) |
| Executive Member for Environment, Economy, Rural Affairs and Waste (Cllr Andrew Needham) |
| Executive Member for Highways and Transportation (Cllr Mrs Eveleigh Moore Dutton) |
| Executive Member for Adult Social Services (Cllr Lynn Hardwick) |
| Executive Member for Community and Communications (Cllr Mrs Nora Dolphin) |
| Executive Member for Finance and ICT (Cllr Mrs Gretta Cousins) |
| Executive Member for Human Resources (Cllr David Freear) |
| Executive Member for Business and Asset Management (Cllr Peter Mason) |
| Executive Support Member for Children's Services (Councillor Neville Price) |
2 Where there is reference to individual Executive Members, it will be
the County Councillor listed above who has the specific responsibilities in
that area and who will be taking the decision.
