Committees

Portfolio Holders

Portfolio Holders are Elected Members with specific areas of responsibility known as portfolios to ensure greater political accountability for the decisions taken by the Cabinet.

Portfolio Holders are politically accountable for service standards and service performance both in terms of direct service delivery and in terms of the contribution of individual services to the community plan priorities of the Council. Portfolio Holders are not responsible for service management.

Portfolio Holders have a specific role as advocate for their service groups. In this capacity portfolio holders will seek to ensure that relevant service needs and service views are taken into account in Cabinet decisions particularly where these relate to Community Plan priorities and strategies.

Portfolio Holders will:-

• meet on a regular basis with Senior Management with a view to discussing service issues including service performance;
• seek to resolve concerns regarding service delivery with service management;
• lead on service issues at Cabinet and Council meetings;
• lead on service reports at Governance and Scrutiny Committee; and
• attend Governance and Scrutiny Committees in respect of related called-in decisions to respond to questions and explain Cabinet proposals.

Spokesperson for Community Planning and Equalities

Spokespersons for Lifelong Learning

Focussing on Community Planning themes, aspirations and aims:

• promoting Community Learning covering -
  
  Educational Services, Pre-Five, Community Learning and Development, Teaching, Community Art, Libraries (including Registration and Local Offices), Museums and Art Galleries.

Spokespersons for Management and Resources

Focussing on the overall management of the Council activities:

• Cross-cutting policy overview
• Management of Council’s resources and assets - People, finance, systems and technology and property.

Overseeing all corporate non-themed service functions.

Spokespersons for Environment and Regeneration

Focussing on Community Planning themes, aspirations and aims in terms of:

• Improving opportunities
• Improving the environment

covering -

Economic Development, Employment Initiatives, Planning and Building Standards, Structure Planning, Roads and Transportation, Tourism, Environmental Health, Cleansing and Waste Disposal, Outdoor Amenity Services (covering Grounds Maintenance, Golf Courses, Street Cleaning, Playparks and Cemeteries), Country Parks and Countryside Services

Spokespersons for Community Wellbeing

Focussing on Community Planning themes, aspirations and aims in terms of

• promoting community safety
• improving health
• eliminating poverty

covering -

Social Work Services, Housing, Road and Community Safety, Leisure Development, Community Recreation, Consumer Protection, Emergency Planning, Street Lighting, Community Health and Chemistry and Public Analyst’s Services.