2006 - 2007

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to all appeals and licensing matters, except those that fall within the remit of the Licensing Committee or are committed to another Committee.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to: matters arising out of internal audit and control reports; the scope of internal audit activity; review of the adequacy of governance and risk management arrangements and internal control; consideration of matters arising from external audit as are referred to it by the External Auditor, including the management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to: Community Health & Social Care; Crime & Disorder; Voluntary Sector; Emergency Planning Policy; Housing (public and private sector), including the formulation and implementation of the policy framework and management of the budget in respect of these functions.

Responsible for all functions of the authority, including all matters specifically reserved to Council by regulation and statute. It approves and keeps under review the Constitution of the Council, appoints, and where necessary, dismisses the Leader/Spokesperson of the Council, approves procedures for and the appointment of the Committees and such other bodies as the Council may decide. It appoints Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of Committees and determines their membership. It makes appointments to outside organisations. It adopts statutory and major non-statutory policies, including best value performance plan; community care plan; community strategy; crime & disorder reduction strategy; Development Plan; Corporate Plan; Plans or Strategies for the control of the Council's borrowing or capital expenditure; Plans or Strategies or draft plans or strategies for any of the above descriptions which have to be submitted to the Secretary of State or a Minister for approval; Food Safety Service Plan; Housing Investment Programme; Local Agenda 21 Strategy; IS/ICT Strategy; Asset Management Plan; Leisure and Cultural Strategy; Licensing Policy Statement; Gambling Policy Statement. It approves the Members' allowances scheme and the Council's budget and Council Tax for the District. It provides an opportunity for members of the public to ask questions or make statements about any aspects of Council policy. It receives reports from its Committees and officers. It promotes and opposes Bills and Orders in Parliament. It carries out any other functions required by Statute to be discharged by the Council. It makes and revokes Byelaws. It deals with matters relating to elections. It determines any decision of a Policy Committee, not yet implemented, referred to it by the Review Committee. It considers proposals to establish, dissolve or group Parish Councils and fixes the number of Parish Councillors. It authorises applications to the Secretary of State for the transfer of housnig land or stock owned by the Council and discusses Notices of Motion submitted in accordance with the Rules of Procedure.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to: Town & Country Planning Regulation (including the grant of planning permissions); Dangerous, Neglected or Derelict Premises; Building Control Regulation, including the management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To convene at the request of the Chief Executive to exercise the Council's functions in relation to emergencies requiring urgent action to deal with specific incidents.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to: Environment; Woodlands & Countryside; Health & Safety; Environmental Health; Street Cleansing; Recycling; Waste Collection & Disposal; Sustainability, including the formulation and implementation of the policy framework and management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to: Recreation; Culture; Leisure; Heritage; Tourism; Grounds Maintenance, including the formulation and implementation of the policy framework and management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To exercise the Council's functions under the Licensing Act 2003, the Gambling Act 2005 and all associated or amending legislation.

To continue the in-depth review of the operation of the Development Control Committee and to draw together the evidence to support the final recommendation.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to: Highways; Planning Policy; Regeneration; Transportation; Local Development Framework; Building Control Policy; Economic Development, including the formulation and implementation of the policy framework and management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To consider in detail the educational contributions, housing design, playing pitch strategy, shop fronts security and design, vehicle parking standards, design guidelines for conservation areas, design, landscaping and access statements and rural settlement areas supplementary planning documents, the suggested changes to the Rayleigh Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan and the draft Regulation 25 Core Strategy document and make appropriate recommendations to the Planning Policy & Transportation Committee in September 2006.

To exercise the Council's functions in relation to all matters not otherwise reserved to Full Council or the responsibility of another Committee with particular reference to: Corporate Strategy; Strategic Performance; Finance; Council Budget; Support Services, including the formulation and implementation of the policy framework and management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To assist the Council in the development of its budget and policy framework by in-depth analysis of policy issues. Conduct research, community and other consultation in the analysis of policy issues and possible options. Consider and implement mechanisms to encourage and enhance community participation in the development of policy options. Question Members of Committees, Chief Officers and Heads of Service about their views on issues and proposals affecting the area. Liaise with other external organisations operating in the area, whether national, regional or local, to ensure that the interests of local people are enhanced by collaborative working. Review and scrutinise the decisions made by and performance of Committees and Council officers both in relation to individual decisions and over time. Review and scrutinise the performance of the Council in relation to its policy objectives, performance targets and/or particular service areas. Question Members of Committees, Chief Officers and Heads of Service about their decisions and performance, whether generally in comparison with service plans and targets over a period of time, or in relation to particular decisions, initiatives or projects. Make recommendations to the appropriate Committee and/or Council arising from the outcome of the scrutiny process. Review and scrutinise the performance of other public bodies in the area and invite reports from them by requesting them to address the Review Committee and local people about their activities and performance, and question and gather evidence from any person (with their consent). The Review Committee may be allocated funding for its role by the Council and will exercise overall responsibility for the finances made available to it. The Review Committee must report annually to Full Council on its workings and make recommendations for future work programmes and amended working methods, if appropriate. The Review Committee may exercise overall responsibility for the work programme of the officers employed to support its work.

All matters set out in paragraph 8.03 of Article 8 of the Council's Constitution including the management of the budget in respect of these functions.

To consider issues relating to the Essex Joint Procurement Process for long term waste management solutions and also focus on issues relating to the further implementation and development of the Council's own kerbside recycling scheme. To oversee the progress and development of the contract procurement process for refuse collection, recycling, street cleansing and grounds maintenance.