Committee structure

The Planning Committee comprises 15 councillors and is responsible for deciding planning applications and related matters which have not been dealt with by Council staff under delegated authority. The Planning Committee meets every four weeks.

The Council is made up of all 39 Borough Councillors and is responsible for a number of key functions which include setting the Council's annual budget, major policies and council tax levels each year. The Council meets on six occasions each year and is chaired by the Mayor.

The Licensing Committee comprises 15 councillors and is responsible for discharging the Council's licensing functions under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005. The Committee also deals with the licensing of taxis and private hire cars, street trading, food and water safety, health and safety, animal establishments and street and house collections. The Licensing Committee is scheduled to meet every four weeks if necessary.

The Licensing Sub-Committee conducts hearings mainly in respect of contested applications under the Licensing Act 2003 and Gambling Act 2005.

The Audit Committee is made up of 7 councillors and its main purpose is to give independent assurance to elected members and the public about the governance, financial reporting and performance of the council. It also scrutinises the Council's financial management and reporting arrangements and provides an independent challenge to what the council has in place. The Audit Committee oversees a number of control strategies such as corporate risk management, the authority's governance arrangements and assurance statements, and anti-fraud and anti-corruption arrangements. It helps raise the profile of these issues within the Council, as well as providing a forum for the discussion of issues raised by internal and external auditors. In this way, it enhances public trust and confidence in the financial governance of a local authority.

Corporate Policy and Resources Committee

The Corporate Policy and Resources Committee consists of 15 councillors comprisingthe Chairs and Vice-Chairs of the Service Committees and with the Leader and Deputy Leader appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair of this Committee.

 Meetings take place seven times a year to discuss:

·         The Council’s annual budget including the capital and revenue budgets, prudential controls and council tax, and to make recommendations to Council on these.

·         The Council’s financial strategies, plans and regulations.

·         The Council’s community and corporate plans and to make recommendations to Council on these.

·         The Council’s Policy Framework and to make recommendations to Council accordingly.

·         Revenues and benefits.

·         Performance management, Project management and service delivery options/transformation.

·         Property asset management including investment, purchases and disposals, and compulsory purchases.

Environment and Sustainability Committee

The Environment and Sustainability Committee consists of 15 councillors. Meetings take place five times a year to discuss:

·         Planning policy

·         The Local Plan

·         Waste strategy and management

·         Recycling

·         Biodiversity

·         Climate change – including air quality, carbon management, mitigation and adaptation measures

·         Public Health functions

·         Parks, open spaces and allotments

·         Emergency planning

·         The exercise by the relevant authorities of the flood risk management functions which may affect the Council’s area.

Economic Committee

The Economic Committee consists of 9 councillors. Meetings take place five times a year to discuss:

·         Economic development, business partnerships and town centre viability & regeneration

·         Heathrow liaison

·         Business transformation, support and inward investment

·         Tourism

·         Transport

Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee

The Community Wellbeing and Housing Committee consists of 13 councillors. Meetings take place five times a year to discuss:

·         Leisure, libraries, arts, sports and culture

·         Community development and engagement

·         Voluntary sector strategy and liaison

·         Housing policy & strategy

·         Housing options, advice and benefits

·         Affordable housing and homelessness

·         Private sector and social housing enforcement

·         Home Improvement Agency

·         Grants to outside bodies

·         Education and young people

·         Services for older people

·         Day centres

·         Supported living independently – including meals on wheels

·         Family support

·         Disability issues and grants

Neighbourhood Services Committee

The Neighbourhood Services Committee consists of 9 councillors. Meetings take place five times a year to discuss:

·         Street cleansing services

·         Street Scene

·         Parking Services

·         Customer Services and consultation

·         Building Control

·         Cemeteries

·         Community safety and crime & disorder (dependant on O&S inclusion)

·         Civil Enforcement (JET)

·         Environmental protection – including food safety & enforcement

·         Health & Safety enforcement

·         Consumer protection, licensing, trading standards and environmental health matters

·         Planning enforcement

Administrative Committee

The Administrative Committee consists of 9 councillors. Meetings take place five times a year to discuss:

·         Corporate Services including Communications, Legal Services, ICT, Democratic Services and Electoral Services

·         Human Resources, personnel, pensions and administrative arrangements