How the council works: political
structure
The political management structure of West
Lancashire District Council was modernised when the Local
Government Act 2000 was introduced.
Since May 2002 this council has been operating a Cabinet system consisting of a leader and
seven portfolio holders.
Councillors
The council is composed of 54 councillors with one-third elected
three years in four. Councillors are democratically accountable to
residents of their ward.
The overriding duty of councillors is to the whole community, but
they have a special duty to their constituents, including those who
did not vote for them.
Councillors have to agree to follow a code of conduct to ensure high standards in
the way they undertake their duties.
The leader and cabinet
The leader and cabinet meet every five weeks to make decisions on
services and to implement policies. The council as a whole meets to
decide on what policies the council will follow and how much money
it will spend. For dates of council meetings look under 'Latest
Meetings and Agendas' in the council information system.
Overview and scrutiny committees
Three
overview and scrutiny committees scrutinise cabinet decisions and
assist in working up policy, two of these being termed 'select'
committees and operating through a series of commissions and best
value review teams. A fourth overview and scrutiny committee, the
external review committee, is conducting in-depth reviews of
activity external to the council.
The Key
Decision Forward Plan sets out key Cabinet decisions to be
taken during the following four month period.
Related information