We administer the Full Council and the Cabinet, together with the seven Scrutiny and Review Panels, the five Statutory Boards and Policy Advisory Groups. We also clerk Education Admission/Exclusion Appeal Panels.

As far as the above meetings are concerned, we can give advice on all aspects of the Council’s Constitution (e.g. procedure, the Scheme of Delegation), the preparation of Officer Reports and compliance with corporate policies, and can help to ensure that appropriate consultation is undertaken. We keep a database of previous decisions and can provide back copies of agenda and reports (which are held for a maximum of six years), together with minutes dating back to 1890. We can also help with co-ordinating complex corporate issues.  

We send out agendas three clear days in advance of a meeting. Prior to that a draft agenda is often produced and a briefing meeting may take place, where the draft agenda is discussed with Members and senior officers and a final agenda is agreed. Agendas for meetings of the Cabinet, and the Scrutiny and Review Panels are administered by us via The Corporate Management Team ; agenda for all other meetings are administered solely by Democratic and Member Support Services.

One person from Democratic and Member Support Services attends each meeting and takes notes of the proceedings and also provides procedural advice to the Members. Most meetings are open to the press and public, and anyone else who has an interest in the matters being discussed.

We produce a list of Council Members which gives their contact details and is amended on a monthly basis as and when required.

We arrange Civic Ceremonial events, including the Annual Council Meeting, Annual Civic Service and Remembrance Day Service and we can give advice on Civic Protocol.  

Democratic and Member Support Services also administers the Teddy Bear Stall scheme in the Lower Gardens and applications for charitable street and house-to-house collections.

Contact: Democratic & Member Support Services on 01202 451163.