Deciding your formal role within the Council
The Ward Councillor
All elected Members have a responsibility to the residents and businesses in the ward they represent, such as speaking as an advocate for residents at Planning Committee meetings and working to improve the lives of local individuals and communities. However, ward Councillors also have a responsibility to the borough of Nuneaton and Bedworth and the Council as a whole, which can sometimes lead to councillors needing to balance competing priorities.
The role is varied, with each Councillor bringing a different approach and experience to the different demands of each ward.
This briefing tells you more about the work of the Cabinet and Committees, all of which work in accordance with Council’s Constitution - this sets out full details of functions and responsibilities.
The Council
All Councillors meet together as a Council five or six times a year. Meetings start at 6.00pm and the Council decides overall policies and sets the budget each year. It appoints the Council Leader every 4 years as well as members and chairs of Committees. Council also makes appointments to outside bodies that operate within the Council’s area.
The Leader and Cabinet
The Leader of the Council is elected by the Council to serve a four-year term. The Leader is then able to appoint up to five Cabinet Members who take responsibility for areas of the Council’s business. There are six Members of Cabinet, including the Leader. The Cabinet meets regularly to take decisions that are not reserved for the Council or committees. Cabinet Members can also make decisions when powers to do so are delegated to them by the Cabinet or Leader.
Current portfolios
- Business and Regeneration
- Housing
- Resources and Central Services
- Communities and Public Services
- Planning and Enforcement
- Leisure and Health
Cabinet usually meets at 6.00pm on Wednesdays, roughly on a 4 weekly cycle, and has to make decisions in line with the Council’s overall policies and budget (set by the Council). Unusually, Cabinet members also have legal powers to make decisions (called Single Member Decisions or Individual Cabinet Member Decisions) on matters that are portfolio-specific.