This page explains the Council's democratic system and how it conducts its business.

 

At the heart of the process is the Council's Constitution which sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.  Whilst some of these processes are required by the law, others have been specifically chosen by the Council.

 

All 40 Councillors meet together as the Council.  Council and Committee Meetings take place in the Council's new office complex at Frankwell Quay, Shrewsbury, SY3 8HQ.  Most meetings are open to the public.  Here Councillors decide Council's overall policies and set the budget framework each year.  While Councillors are democratically accountable to residents of their ward, their overriding duty is to the whole community.  Councillors have to agree to follow a code of conduct to ensure high standards in the way they undertake their duties.

 

At the Annual Meeting held in the town's Music Hall in May each year, the Council elects a Mayor and Deputy Mayor, appoints members to the Cabinet and elects a Leader from the members appointed.

 

The Council also appoints Overview and Scrutiny Committees, who have powers to review Council functions, scrutinise decisions taken by the Cabinet and monitor their activities.

 

A Standards Committee has been appointed to encourage and maintain high standards of conduct and probity for Members and Officers.  Regulatory Committees have also been appointed to undertake the Council's quasi-judicial responsibilities such as Development Control, Licensing and Homelessness Reviews.

 

An annual state of the area debate is held each year in October at the "Shrewsbury Conference" in the town's Music Hall when the Leader invites the public to make written submissions to the Council in respect of any of its services.  The Council endeavours to encourage people to get involved in local democracy, so public meetings are also held as necessary at which any views which members of the public may have can be expressed.  Members of the public are also allowed to participate in public question time sessions at Council, Cabinet and Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings.

 

 

The Borough Council's current political balance (at 17th May 2007) is as follows:

 

Conservative Group - 23 Members

Labour Group - 10 Members

Liberal Democrat - 5 Members

Non-affiliated Independent - 1 Members