Decision-making and the Constitution

Key Decisions and Private Meetings

Key Decisions

The Council is required to publish notice of its intention to make key decisions on its website at least 28 days before a decision is to be made.

When this is not possible the Council must publish a General Exception Notice on its website and issue a copy to the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee. This notice must be published at least five days prior to a key decision being taken.

If it is not possible to provide five days' notice the Council must publish a Notice of Special Urgency. This notice will set out the decision to be taken and can only be made with the consent of the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee.

A key decision is a decision made by the Cabinet which is likely to have:

  • financial implications of over £50,000
  • a significant effect on communities in two or more wards in the Borough

Key decisions are further defined in Article 13.03 of the Council's Constitution.

Private Meetings

The Council must provide at least 28 days' notice if it intends to hold a private meeting of the Cabinet. When this is not possible the Council must obtain agreement from the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee before the meeting can be held. Once agreement is obtained, the Council must publish a Private Exception Notice setting out why a private meeting is urgent and cannot reasonably be deferred.

You can view the latest key decision and private meeting notice as a PDF file below:

Key Decision and Private Meeting Notice - September 2022

Key Decision and Private Meeting Notice - July 2022

Key Decision and Private Meeting Notice - May 2022

Key Decision and Private Meeting Notice - March 2022

Key Decision and Private Meeting Notice - February 2022