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Council, committee and cabinet meetings

Introduction

Calderdale Council operates an executive decision taking structure. The operation of the structure is controlled by the Council's Constitution. Meetings are generally open to the public to attend except where personal or confidential matters are being discussed.

The Constitution

Council

The Council is composed of 51 Councillors. They all meet together as the Council to decide the Council's overall policies and to set the budget and Council Tax each year. The Council appoints the Leader and members of the Cabinet and also the membership of the various Scrutiny Panels and Committees.

Cabinet Meetings

The Cabinet is composed of the Leader and six Councillors appointed by the Council. The Cabinet has overall responsibility for the services which the Council provides and operates within the overall policies and budget agreed by the Council. Recommendations on major items of policy and on the annual budget and capital programme are passed to the Council for consideration and approval.

The Cabinet Members are:-

• Stephen Baines MBE (Leader)
• Graham Hall (Deputy Leader and Deputy Chair of Cabinet)
• Graham Reason (Cabinet Member - Adults, Health & Social Care)
• Craig Whittaker (Cabinet Member - Children & Young People)
• David Kirton (Cabinet Member - Customer Services & Communication)
• Amanda Byrne (Cabinet Member - Economy and Environment)
• Ian Cooper (Cabinet Member - Safer and Stronger Communities)

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Scrutiny Panels

The Council has five Scrutiny Panels and each is composed of seven Councillors. In addition, the Schools and Children’s Services Scrutiny Panel also includes a number of co-opted members (non-councillors) representing the churches, parent governors and the education community. Scrutiny Panels support the work of the Cabinet and Council as a whole by looking into matters of local concern and making recommendations on policy, budget making and service delivery. Scrutiny Panels also monitor the Cabinet’s decisions and can call a decision in for consideration and further recommendation.

The Scrutiny Panel Members are:

Adults, Health and Social Care

• Mrs Ruth Goldthorpe (Chair)
• Kay Barret (Member)
• Howard Blagbrough (Member)
• Peter Coles (Member)
• Andrew Feather (Member)
• Bob Metcalfe (Member)
• Mrs Diane Park (Member)

Children and Young People

• Mrs Olwen Jennings (Chair)
• Howard Blagbrough (Member)
• Mohammed Ilyas (Member)
• Richard Marshall MBE (Member)
• Ann McAllister (Member)
• Megan Swift (Member)

Economy and Environment

• Peter Coles (Chair)
• Colin Raistrick (Deputy Chair)
• Mrs Joyce Cawthra (Member)
• Barry Collins (Member)
• Stephen Gow (Member)
• John Hardy (Member)
• Keith Watson (Member)

Safer and Stronger Communities

• Colin Stout (Chair)
• Helen Rivron (Deputy Chair)
• Mrs Christine Bampton-Smith (Member)
• Mrs Geraldine Carter (Member)
• Mrs Joyce Cawthra (Member)
• Richard Marshall MBE (Member)
• Peter Wardhaugh (Member)

Use of Resources

• Mrs Jennifer Pearson (Chair)
• Tom Bates (Member)
• Zafar Iqbal-Din (Member)
• Ann McAllister (Member)
• Robert Pearson (Member)
• Bryan Smith (Member)
• Roger Taylor (Member)

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Planning Committee

The Planning Committee is composed of seven Councillors and has responsibility for the consideration and determination of applications made to the Council for planning permission. The Committee can also consider new and changes to existing development control policies, objectives and standards for recommendation to the Cabinet.

The Planning Committee Members are:

• Martin Peel (Chair)
• Robert Thornber (Deputy Chair)
• Peter Coles (Member)
• Danielle Coombs (Member)
• David Ginley (Member)
• Mrs Ruth Goldthorpe (Member)
• Geoffrey Wallace (Member)

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Licensing and Regulatory Committee

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee is made up of fifteen Councillors and is responsible for the consideration and determination of applications made to the Council for a variety of licences, permits, consents, certificates and registrations.

The Licensing and Regulatory Committee Members are:

• Robert Thornber (Chair)
• Mrs Patricia Allen (Deputy Chair)
• Mrs Christine Bampton-Smith (Member)
• Kay Barret (Member)
• Mrs Joyce Cawthra (Member)
• Danielle Coombs (Member)
• Grenville Horsfall (Member)
• Mohammed Ilyas (Member)
• Bryan Smith (Member)
• Keith Watson (Member)

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Standards Committee

The Standards Committee is made up of seven Councillors and also includes three independent members (non-councillors) and a parish council representative. The Committee is responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Councillors and co-opted members, monitoring the Members’ Code of Conduct and considering reports on breaches of the Code, and the services and training made available to Members including recommendations to the Council on the Members' Allowances Scheme.

The Standards Committee Members are:

• Mrs Geraldine Carter (Member)
• David O'Neill (Member)
• Graham Reason (Member)
• Megan Swift (Member)
• Tim Swift (Member)
• Conrad Winterburn (Member)

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Appeals Panel

The Appeals Panel is made up of three Councillors and is responsible for considering and determining appeals made by employees and against decisions made by or on behalf of the Council where there is no other appeal process either within or outside of the Council.

The Appeals Panel Members are:

• Mrs Olwen Jennings (Chair)
• David Ginley (Member)
• Megan Swift (Member)

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Employment Committee

The Employment Committee is made up of four Councillors and is responsible for the employment of the Council's Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive, Group Directors and Chief Officers.

The Employment Committee Members are:

• Stephen Baines MBE (Chair)
• Janet Battye (Member)
• Graham Hall (Member)
• Tim Swift (Member)

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