CG040304-12

Division(s): N/A

ITEM CG12

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE SCRUTINY COMMITTEE – 4 MARCH 2004

OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

ROLE DESCRIPTIONS

General note: These role descriptions have been developed in accordance with the obligations placed on members by the Council’s Constitution

Role of Leader of the Council

To provide political leadership and direction to the Council

To assume overall responsibility for the development and implementation of the Council’s policies, strategies and service delivery

To Chair meetings of the Executive and to manage its business

To represent the Council to Government and to other (local, regional, national and European) bodies to obtain the maximum benefit for the people of Oxfordshire

To provide political advice to the Chief Executive and County Council Management Team in relation to the Council’s priorities, policies and objectives

To take responsibility for allocated portfolios of work

To ensure regular communication between the members of the Executive and non-executive members

To maintain professional working relationships and to establish mutual respect between members and officers

Role of Deputy Leader of the Council

To deputise for the Leader of the Council in his/her absence across the full range of duties

To work with the Leader to co-ordinate the work of the Executive

To assist the Leader in carrying out the range of leadership duties

To take responsibility for allocated portfolios of work

To provide political advice to the Chief Executive and County Council Management Team in relation to the Council’s priorities, policies and objectives

To maintain professional working relationships and to establish mutual respect between members and officers

Role of Executive Member

To work collectively with Executive colleagues to develop and implement corporate strategies, policies and budgets

To work collectively with Executive colleagues to provide strong and fair executive leadership and clear political guidance

To attend meetings of the Executive and its committees (as relevant) and to participate in any Informal Executive meetings and awaydays

To take responsibility for allocated portfolios of work and in so doing to:

Work within the Council’s aims, objectives, priorities and budgets

Develop and maintain effective partnerships with relevant stakeholders and local, regional and national organisations

Facilitate public and stakeholder consultation and involvement in the portfolio areas

Ensure effective communication of policies and issues to members, the public, partners and local organisations

Speak on behalf of the Council on issues connected with the portfolio responsibilities

Undertake media and public relations activities on behalf of the Council in relation to the portfolio responsibilities

Contribute to the production of the Forward Plan of proposed actions and decisions to be taken by the Executive

Maintain professional working relationships and establish mutual respect between the members and officers with whom you work

Maintain effective relationships with relevant Scrutiny Committees, refer specific areas of policy development work to them, respond to scrutiny reviews and call-in requests

Receive representations from fellow members acting in their capacity as divisional representatives in relation to the provision of services within the portfolio areas

Role of Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of Scrutiny Committee

To attend and chair meetings of the Scrutiny Committee and any meetings held for the purpose of planning the business of the Committee and finalising the agenda

To control the business of the Scrutiny Committee

To ensure familiarity and compliance with the Council’s Constitution

To ensure that meetings are effective and conducted in a timely fashion

To ensure that meetings are driven toward effective outcomes based on sound evidence and good listening

To promote the scrutiny function generally within the authority and to external organisations and the public

To call additional meetings of the Scrutiny Committee in consultation with the Deputy Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman

To take part in the business and meetings of the Co-ordinating Group of Scrutiny Chairs/Chairwomen/Chairmen and Deputies

To represent the Scrutiny Committee at meetings of Best Value Committee and the Executive as necessary

To respond, in accordance with the Constitution, to requests from the Leader of the Council for items to be included on the agenda

To inform the Proper Officer, in accordance with the Constitution, if a member or officer is required to attend a meeting of the Scrutiny Committee

To determine the appropriate form of participation in meetings of the Committee for any person invited to attend to discuss matters of local concern and/or to answer questions

To ensure that the Deputy Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman and the Third Group Spokesperson are properly included in discussions about the business and management of the Committee

Role of Deputy Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of Scrutiny Committee

To attend and, if necessary, chair meetings of the Scrutiny Committee and any meetings held for the purpose of planning the business of the Committee and finalising the agenda

To deputise for the Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman in all matters relating to the Scrutiny Committee

Role of Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of the Council

To be the ceremonial, non-political head of the Council

To take the chair at Council meetings

To ensure that meetings are effective and conducted in a timely fashion

To lend support, at his/her own discretion to non-political causes

To speak for the Council as a whole on non-political issues, particularly on public occasions

To represent the Council, where appropriate, on negotiations with other bodies where the Council is in essence not divided and it is desirable that the Council be seen to be represented at the highest possible level

Where the Council has expressed its wish, to speak publicly only in accordance with that declared wish

To consult the Monitoring Officer as to whether it is appropriate for him/her to make a statement on, or participate in, any particular matter where there can be doubt and if advised that the matter is political, to refrain from comment

To uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution, and to interpret the Constitution when necessary

To preside over meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of councillors and the interests of the community

To ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to Oxfordshire and the place at which members who are not on the Executive are able to hold the Executive to account

To promote public involvement in the Council’s activities

To be the conscience of the Council

To attend such civic and ceremonial functions as the Council and he/she determines appropriate

To bear the lion’s share of entertaining on behalf of the Council

To attend functions as representative of the Council

Role of Vice-Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of the Council

To deputise for the Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of the Council in all matters relating to the role of Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman

To assist the Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman in hosting and attending functions

Role of Leader of the Opposition

To provide political advice to the Executive, Chief Executive and County Council Management Team in relation to the Council’s priorities, policies and objectives

To support the democratic process by ensuring that the administration is effectively examined and challenged

To bring forward policies, and proposals on operational matters, as alternatives to those proposed by the administration, as deemed appropriate

To maintain professional working relationships and to establish mutual respect between members and officers

To be aware of, and adequately communicate as appropriate, the views of opposition members of the Council

Role of Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of Council Committees (Standards, Best Value, Planning & Regulation, Pension Fund, Democracy & Organisation)

To attend and chair meetings of the Committee and any meetings held for the purpose of planning the business of the Committee

To control the business of the Committee

To ensure familiarity and compliance with the Council’s Constitution

To ensure that meetings are effective and conducted in a timely fashion

To ensure that meetings are driven toward effective decision-making based on sound evidence and good listening

To determine whether to allow requests to address the Committee and to allocate the time appropriately and equitably having regard to the number of potential addressees, the relevance of the subject matter and the timely conduct of the meeting

To ensure that the Deputy Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman and the Third Group Spokesperson are properly included in discussions about the business and management of the Committee

Role of Deputy Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman of Council Committees

To attend and, if necessary, chair meetings of the Committee and any meetings held for the purpose of planning the business of the Committee

To deputise for the Chair/Chairwoman/Chairman in all matters relating to the Committee

Third Group Spokespersons of Scrutiny and Council Committees

To attend meetings of the relevant Committee and any meetings held for the purpose of planning the business of the Committee and finalising the agenda.

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