Guide to Gateshead Council · Guide to Gateshead Council 2016 - 2017 IN UNITY, ... Councillor Lynne Caffrey ... Councillor Jack Graham Councillor Stuart Green ...

Guide to Gateshead Council

Guide to Gateshead Council2016 - 2017

IN UNITY, PROGRESS

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Contents Page

Political Management Struture

The Council ..................................................................................................................................................... 3

The Cabinet ..................................................................................................................................................... 4-5

Cabinet Members ........................................................................................................................................ 6-15

Overview and Scrutiny Committees ...........................................................................16-22

Corporate Resources .................................................................................................................................17

Families ..............................................................................................................................................................18

Corporate Parenting Sub-committee .............................................................................................19

Care, Health and Wellbeing ...................................................................................................................20

Communities and Place .........................................................................................................................21

Community Safety Sub-committee .................................................................................................22

Decision Making Committees ............................................................................................23-33

Accounts Committee ................................................................................................................................24

Appeals Committee ...................................................................................................................................25

Audit and Standards Committee .......................................................................................................26

Contracts Committee ...............................................................................................................................27

Health and Wellbeing Board .................................................................................................................28

Licensing and Regulatory Committee ...........................................................................................29

Personal Appeals Committee ..............................................................................................................30

Planning and Development Committee ......................................................................................31

Rights of Way Committee ......................................................................................................................32

Special Appointments Committee ..................................................................................................33

Advisory Groups ................................................................................................................................34

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The CouncilThe full council, consisting of 66 elected members, meets every six weeks plus an annual meeting and a budget meeting.

It’s role is to:

• Agree the policy framework, strategies and plans

• Agree the budget

• Decide the political management framework

• Appoint the Leader for a term of four years

The council also receives reports from Cabinet portfolio holders and from Overview and Scrutiny Committees. Councillors can put forward notices of motion, which initiate debates on topics of major significance to the borough. Councillors may also question the Leader and Cabinet members, and present petitions on behalf of local residents. Members of the public can also ask questions or present petitions provided they give notice.

The six-weekly Council meeting is above all the ‘public face’ of decision making - the forum at which all members gather to determine, in the public spotlight, the most significant policy issues facing the borough.

The Council is chaired by The Mayor of GatesheadAllison Thompson

She is supported by the Deputy Mayor,Councillor Pauline Dillon

Civic Officer and Mayor’s SecretaryKathryn Breadin 433 2011

Civic Officer and Mayor’s SecretaryKathryn Breadin 433 2011

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The Cabinet is headed by the Leader of the Council. It consists of nine additional councillors who are appointed by the Leader. The Cabinet provides political leadership and direction across the whole range of council services and considers all policy issues.

While the Cabinet acts collectively, each cabinet member has areas of special interest - known as portfolios - which are allocated to them by the Leader.

Portfolios are based on the policies and principles outlined in Vision 2030, and the Council Plan, and cover everything that the council does.

The Cabinet collectively makes decisions on most council services within the budget and policy framework on behalf of the Council and can make recommendations for change to full Council. It meets monthly and its meetings (like those of other council bodies) are held in public, except where confidential information is to be discussed. All Cabinet members work collectively with other councillors to carry out their role, and seek advice from the Council’s Advisory Groups on policy development. They also receive reports from Overview and Scrutiny Committees on policy reviews and performance management.

Councillor Martin Gannon is the Leader of Gateshead Council. He chairs the Council’s Cabinet and takes overall responsibility for its decisions. His Cabinet portfolio includes overall Resources, Management and Reputation.

The Cabinet

Councillor Martin GannonLeader of the Council

Secretary to the Leader & Deputy LeaderMichelle Soderquest 433 2002

Secretary to the CabinetJill Ormond 433 2549

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The Portfolios are:

• Health and Wellbeing

• Adult Social care

• Children and Young people

• Economy

• Environment and Transport

• Housing

• Communities and Volunteering

• Culture, Sport and Leisure

Champions and Supporters

In some areas, mainly the portfolio held by the Leader of the Council, ‘Champions’ have been identified.

The Government expects Champions for certain specific issues. These roles are appointed by the Leader and usually, though not in all cases, are Cabinet members.

The role of Champion varies from issue to issue and is usually to take a special interest in a particular issue; network with other champions across the country; promote the issue within the council and generally support and complement the work of the Cabinet member.

The Cabinet

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Cabinet Member

Leader’s Portfolio

The portfolio includes:

• Overall strategy and policy (including direction and overall transformation programme)

• Communications

• Finance

• Governance

• HR (Including Health & Safety)

• Inclusion and equalities

• Local democracy

• Relationships (partnerships, international, national, sub-national, regional)

• Resilience

• Strategic economic growth (including major regeneration projects)

• Transformation through technology

Supported by

• Councillor Catherine Donovan - Assets

• Councillor Linda Green MBE - Diversity & Equalities

• Councillor Catherine Donovan - Councillor Development

Champions

The role of Champions is to promote the issue in the council, in the borough and nationally and to generally support the work of the Cabinet Member.

• Armed Forces - Councillor Stuart Green

• Cycling - Councillor Gary Haley

• Design - Councillor Mick Henry CBE

• Historic Environment - Councillor Linda Green MBE

• Looked After Children - Councillor Angela Douglas

• Older People - Councillor Peter Mole MBE

• Procurement - Councillor John Eagle

Councillor Martin GannonLeader of the Council

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Cabinet Member

Deputy Leader of the Council

The Deputy Leader’s portfolio includes:

• Deputising for Leader at appropriate meetings (e.g. regional, sub-regional etc)

• Asset management

• Business continuity and risk

• Customer services

• Performance

• Traded services

• Transformation programme

CouncillorCatherine DonovanDeputy Leader of the Council

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Cabinet Member

Health & Wellbeing

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Mary Foy who is supported by Councillor Michael McNestry and Councillor Angela Douglas.

The Portfolio includes:

• Environmental health (food safety)

• Healthchecks

• Health and Wellbeing Board

• Health inequalities

• JSNA

• Mental health issues

• Health trainers

• Preventative health services

• Promoting healthy lifestyles (activity and eating)

• Public health

• Tobacco, drugs and alcohol

Cabinet MemberCouncillor Mary Foy

Supported byCouncillor Michael McNestry

Supported byCouncillor Angela Douglas

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Cabinet Member

Adult Social Care

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Michael McNestry, who is supported by Councillor Mary Foy and Councillor Angela Douglas.

The Portfolio covers the following:

• Assessment, commissioning and provision of adult social care

• Independent living

• Older people; people with learning/physical dis-abilities (including domicillary care and day care meals and shopping services)

• Re-enablement

• Residential/nursing care

• Safeguarding adults and protecting/supporting vulnerable adults

• Supporting carers

Cabinet MemberCouncillor Michael McNestry

Supported byCouncillor Mary Foy

Supported byCouncillor Angela Douglas

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Cabinet Member

Children and Young People

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Angela Douglas, who is supported by Councillor Michael McNestry and Councillor Mary Foy. The portfolio covers the following:

• Assessment, commissioning and provision of children’s services

• Child poverty

• Children with SEN: physical/mental health disabilities

• Children’s Trust

• Early years, children’s centres and corporate parenting

• Safeguarding and family support (FamiliesGateshead)

• Strategic Education Authority role

• Young offenders

• Youth services and raising aspiration

Cabinet MemberCouncillor Angela Douglas

Supported byCouncillor Michael McNestry

Supported byCouncillor Mary Foy

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Cabinet Member

Economy

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Gary Haley, who is supported by Councillor Liz Twist and Councillor Malcolm Brain.


• Digital inclusion/broadband (external)

• Employment support

• Financial inclusion

• Graduate retention

• Indigenous business growth and diversification

• Inward investment

• Rural economy

• Skills (including apprenticeships)

• Tourism and profile promotion

Supported byCouncillor Gary Haley

Supported byCouncillor Malcolm Brain

Supported byCouncillor Liz Twist

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Cabinet Member

Environment and Transport

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Malcolm Brain, who is supported by Councillor Gary Haley and Councillor Liz Twist.

This includes:

• Air quality and noise

• Climate change

• Countryside parks and open spaces

• Energy management and carbon reduction

• Highway asset management

• Natural environment

• Parking policy

• Planning and building control

• Road safety promotion

• Spatial planning

• Sustainable transport

• Transport network

• Transport strategy

Cabinet MemberCouncillor Malcolm Brain


Supported byCouncillor Liz Twist

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Cabinet Member

Housing

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Liz Twist who is supported by Councillor Malcolm Brain and Councillor Gary Haley.


• Adaptations

• Homelessness

• Housing growth

• Housing management

• Housing needs, policy and strategy

• Private sector housing (including affordable housing and landlord licensing)

• Supported housing

Cabinet MemberCouncillor Liz Twist

Supported byCouncillor Malcolm Brain


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Cabinet Member

Communities and Volunteering

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor Linda Green, who is supported by Councillor John McElroy.


• Cemeteries and crematoria

• Capacity building

• Community and resident engagement

• Community centres

• Community safety (crime reduction; fear of crime; victim support; domestic violence; anti-social behaviour; hate crime)

• Co-ordination of neighbourhood issues (including pest control and dog wardens; allotments; street lighting; highway maintenance)

• Licensing

• Neighbourhood management

• Volunteering

• Waste disposal/management

Cabinet MemberCouncillor Linda Green MBE

Supported byCouncillor John McElroy

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Cabinet Member

Culture, Sport & Leisure

This portfolio team is lead by Councillor John McElroy, who is supported by Councillor Linda Green.


• Arts

• Cultural opportunities

• Events

• Heritage

• Leisure

• Libraries

• Museums

• Physical activity

• Sport

Cabinet MemberCouncillor John McElroy

Supported byCouncillor Linda Green MBE

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Overview and Scrutiny CommitteesThe Council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committees are an integral part of the Council’s framework. They support the work of the Cabinet and council, to whom they make recommendations. They contribute to the policy-making process by reviewing policies, scrutinising service reviews, examining issues in the Cabinet’s forward plan and reviewing information on the performance of services.

The Committees monitor Cabinet decisions and hold decision makers into account. They can question decisions yet to be implemented and ask the decision maker to think again. They can also hold reviews and inquiries into matters concerning local people, not only dealing with council services but also ensuring that other agencies, public and private, play their part in achieving a better quality of life for Gateshead residents.

• Corporate Resources

• Families

• Corporate Parenting Sub Committee

• Care, Health & Wellbeing

• Communities & Place OSC

• Community Safety Sub Committee

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Overview and Scrutiny Committees

Corporate Resources

The Corporate Resources Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertakes scrutiny and review in relation to:

• The management of the Council’s financial, human and physical resources

• Support for the democratic process

• Consulting local people and communities and involving them in the work of the Council

• Social inclusion, equalities and diversity

• Efficiency, value for money and procurement

Members

Councillor Ron Beadle

Councillor Lynne Caffrey

Councillor Marilyn Charlton

Councillor Pauline Dillon

Councillor John Eagle (Chair)

Councillor Paul Foy (Vice Chair)

Councillor Tom Graham

Councillor Jill Green

Councillor Stuart Green

Councillor Mick Henry

Councillor Maria Hall

Councillor Bernadette Oliphant

Councillor Marilynn Ord

Councillor Allison Thompson

Councillor Jonathan Wallace (Vice Chair)

Councillor Neil Weatherly

Councillor Keith Wood

Vacancy

Councillor John Eagle Chair

Councillor Paul Foy Vice Chair

Councillor Jonathan Wallace Vice Chair

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Families

The Families Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertakes scrutiny and review in relation to:

• The council’s work as a local education authority

• Services to children and young people

Members

Councillor John Adams


Councillor Brenda Clelland

Councillor Susan Craig

Councillor Alex Geddes

Councillor Jack Graham

Councillor Stuart Green (Vice Chair)


Councillor Sonya Hawkins

Councillor Jeannie Kielty

Councillor Leigh Kirton

Councillor Kathleen McCartney

Councillor Christine McHatton

Councillor Eileen McMaster

Councillor Rachel Mullen

Councillor Bernadette Oliphant (Chair)

Councillor Stephen Ronchetti

Councillor Catherine Simcox

Co-opted Members

Malcolm Brown - Parent Governor Representative (Primary Sector)

Ray Tolley - Parent Governor Representative (Secondary Sector)

Sasha Ban - Parent Governor Representative (Secondary Sector)

Carolyn Duffey - RC Diocesan Representative

Rev. J Wilkinson - C of E Diocesan Representative


Councillor Bernadette Oliphant Chair

Councillor Stuart Green Vice Chair

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Corporate Parenting Sub-committee

This sub-committee has the specific task of monitoring the way the council carries out its role as corporate parent.

Members





Councillor Stuart Green (Vice Chair)



Councillor Bernadette Oliphant (Chair)

Councillor Catherine Simcox

Councillor Bernadette Oliphant Chair

Councillor Stuart Green Vice Chair

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Care, Health and Wellbeing

The Care, Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee undertakes scrutiny and review in relation to:

• The provision of health services to adults in the borough, including the function of reviewing and scrutinising matters relating to the health service. The Committee carries out an overview role in re-lation to the health of children and young people

• The provision of health services in the borough

• Overview of functions under Health and Social Care Act 2012

Members

Councillor Christine Bradley Councillor Marilyn Charlton (Vice Chair)

Councillor Doreen Davidson

Councillor Bill Dick

Councillor Kathryn Ferdinand

Councillor Maureen Goldsworthy

Councillor Bob Goldsworthy




Councillor Peter Maughan

Councillor Paul McNally

Councillor Ian Patterson

Councillor Julie Simpson

Councillor Jonathan Wallace

Councillor Neil Weatherley (Chair)

Councillor Anne Wheeler

Councillor Neil Weatherley Chair

Councillor Marilyn Charlton Vice Chair

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Communities and Place

• Economic Development and Lifelong Learning

• Culture, including Leisure, Arts, Sport and Recreation

• Housing, Physical Develoment and Regeneration

• Transport Planning and Public Transport

• Local Environment including Climate Change

Members



Councillor Peter Craig

Councillor Sonya Dickie


Councillor Pauline Dillon (Chair)

Councillor Danile Duggan

Councillor Kevin Dodds


Councillor Tom Graham (Vice Chair)

Councillor Michael Hood

Councillor Helen Hughes

Councillor John McClurey

Councillor Chris McHugh

Councillor Kathleen McCartney


Councillor Jim Turnbull


Councillor Pauline Dillon Chair

Councillor Tom Graham Vice Chair

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Community Safety Sub-committee

This is a sub-committee of the Communities and Place OSC and performs a role in relation to the Safety of Communities and People in the Borough, including the functions of the Local Government Act 2000 and associated regulations.

Members



Councillor Pauline Dillon (Chair)


Councillor Tom Graham (Vice Chair)





Councillor Pauline Dillon Chair

Councillor Tom Graham Vice Chair

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Decision Making CommitteesBy law, certain decisions cannot be made by the Cabinet. These are mainly decisions which relate to granting permissions or licences, hearing appeals and certain personnel matters.

The Council has set up a number of committees to deal with these matters:

• Accounts Committee

• Appeals Committee

• Audit and Standards Committee

• Contracts Committee

• Health and Wellbeing Board

• Licensing and Regulatory Committee

• Personnel Appeals Committee

• Planning and Development Committee

• Rights of Way Committee

• Special Appointments Committee

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Decision Making Committees

Accounts Committee

This Committee approves the Council’s annual statement of accounts and statement on internal control.

Councillor Martin Gannon Chair

Councillor Catherine Donovan Vice Chair


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Appeals Committee

This Committee deals with a wide range of appeals, covering:

• Education grants

• Housing, including exclusion from the housing register, introductory tenancies, deferred applica-tions for rehousing and homeless appeals

• Adaptations for disabled people

• Access to personal files

• Marriage premises

Depending on the type of appeal, either three or five members sit on each hearing, drawn from a committee of 22 councillors.

Councillor Maureen GoldsworthyChair

Councillor Brenda ClellandVice Chair

Members

Councillor Christine Bradley


Councillor Brenda Clelland (Vice Chair)




Councillor Maureen Goldsworthy (Chair)


Councillor Tom Graham


Councillor Stuart Green


Councillor Mick Henry




Councillor Christopher Ord


Councillor Steve Ronchetti



Councillor Neil Weatherley

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Audit and Standards Committee

This Committee keeps under review the Council’s arrangements for risk management, internal control systems and audit.

It considers reports from the council’s internal and external auditors and makes recommendations to the council and the Cabinet.

It also has responsibility for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by councillors and co-opted members, and assists them in observing the code of conduct for councillors.

Members




Councillor Linda Green MBE

Councillor Michael Hood (Vice Chair)

Councillor Helen Hughes (Chair)

Councillor John McElroy

Independent Members

George Clark

Judith Common

Brinley Jones

Councillor Audrey Harrison (Lamesley Parish Council)

Independent Person

Tony Atkinson

Councillor Helen Hughes Chair

Councillor John AdamsVice Chair

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Contracts Committee

This committee approved the contracts and remuneration for the Chief Executive and Strategic Directors.

Members

Councillor Catherine Donovan (Vice Chair)

Councillor John Eagle

Councillor Martin Gannon (Chair)



Councillor Martin Gannon Chair

Councillor Catherine Donovan Vice Chair

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Health and Wellbeing Board

This Board leads on the production of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment and a Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy. For the purpose of advancing the health and wellbeing of the residents in Gateshead, the Board encourages integration in the provision of health or social care in its area.

Members


Councillor Lynne Caffrey (Chair)

Councillor Mary Foy

Councillor Malcolm Graham

Councillor Jill Green (Vice Chair)

Councillor Michael McNestry

The Board also has members from the following organisations:

Gateshead CCG

Gateshead Voluntary Organisation’s Council

Healthwatch Gateshead

NHS England Cumbria, Northumbria, Tyne & Wear

NHS Gateshead & Newcastle

Public Health

Councillor Lynne Caffrey Chair

Councillor Jill Green Vice Chair

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Licensing and Regulatory Committees (Same membership for both committees)

This Committee exercises all the powers and duties of the Council under the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, except for those functions which are reserved to the council.

It is made up of 15 members but in practice hearings are held by a subcommittee of three members drawn from the Committee. Hearings take place as and when required and interested parties have the right to make representations.

The Committee also etermines licensing applications, grants and renews Hackney carriage Drivers, private Hire Vehicles and Private Hire Operators.

It also deals with all applications for approved marriage premises status, control and enforcement of the law relating to safety and sports grounds.

Members

Councillor Kevin Dodds Chair

Councillor Bill Dick Vice Chair

Councillor Christine Bradley

Councillor Marilyn Charlton


Councillor Bill Dick (Vice Chair)

Councillor Kevin Dodds (Chair)

Councillor Daniel Duggan








Councillor Bernadette Oliphant


Councillor Neil Weatherley

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Personnel Appeals Committee

This Committee hears appeals from Council employees on employment matters such as terms and conditions, pay, promotion, dismissal or disciplinary action.

Members


Councillor Marliyn Charlton







Councillor Liz Twist

Councillor Martin GannonChair

Councillor Catherine DonovanVice Chair

31



Planning and Development Committee

This Committee decides on planning applications, enforcement of planning control and building regulations and meets every three weeks throughout the year.

Applicants for planning permission, or people who object to plans, are able to address the panel directly, or they can get their ward councillor or an agent to speak for them.

Members





Councillor Kathryn Ferdinand

Councillor Paul Foy


Councillor Bob Goldsworthy (Chair)


Councillor Michael Hood (Vice Chair)


Councillor Jean Lee

Councillor Kath McCartney


Councillor Chris McHugh


Councillor Paul McNally

Councillor Peter Mole MBE

Councillor Chris Ord





Councillor Bob GoldsworthyChair

Councillor Michael HoodVice Chair

32



Rights of Way Committee

This Committee deals with all matters relating to footpaths and bridleways, public use of highways and the reclassification of roads used as public paths. People who support or oppose particular proposals are allowed to address the panel at its quarterly meeting.

Members

Councillor Christine Bradley (Vice Chair)





Councillor Keith Wood (Chair)

Vacancy

Councillor Keith WoodChair

Councillor Christine BradleyVice Chair

33



Special Appointments Committee

This Committee’s role is to make appointments to senior posts in the Council, such as Strategic Directors and Service Directors. It also advises the full Council on the appointment of the Chief Executive.

Members


Councillor Malcolm Brain




Councillor Angela Douglas


Councillor Paul Foy


Councillor Linda Green



Councillor Michael McNestry



Councillor Martin GannonChair

Councillor Catherine DonovanVice Chair

34


Advisory Groups• Gateshead Fund (Capacity Building Fund)

Councillor John Eagle

Councillor Paul Foy (Chair)

Councillor Catherine Donovan





Advisory Groups fulfil a valuable role in consulting and obtaining the views of councillors before issues are considered by the Cabinet. The purpose of advisory groups is to seek advice, from a broad group of Council Members before a firm line is fixed. Meetings of advisory groups will be held in response to a request from the Cabinet for advice on a specific issue or issues; meetings should focus on discussing the issue and giving advice rather than arriving at a formal resolution.

• Corporate Resources Advisory GroupChaired by Councillor Henry and all councillors are invited to attend.

• Policy Advisory Group

Chaired by one of a pool of councillors, with all councillors invited to attend.

Produced by Gateshead Council August 2016

0814b-JH-Aug2016

Guide to Gateshead Council · Guide to Gateshead Council 2016 - 2017 IN UNITY, ... Councillor Lynne Caffrey ... Councillor Jack Graham Councillor Stuart Green ...

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