Cabinet

The Council's Cabinet is made up of eight Councillors including the Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council and six other Councillors. The Leader is appointed for a four year term of office by a vote of the majority of Council Members.

The Leader decides the size of Cabinet, a minimum of three and a maximum of nine Members; appoints the Deputy Leader and the Cabinet Members on an annual basis; and allocates the Portfolios.

The Leader can be removed from office during the four year term by a vote of the majority of Council Members.

The Cabinet exercises the majority of its responsibilities collectively, however, the Leader can make most of the decisions on his/her own.  The Leader is able to draw up the budget and new policies alone or with the Cabinet.  A simple majority of Councillors can reject a proposal from the Leader/Cabinet.

The Cabinet Comprises:

  • Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of the Council
  • Councillor Stephen Harker, Deputy Leader of the Council and Efficiency and Resources Portfolio
  • Councillor Veronica Copeland, Adult Social Care and Housing Portfolio
  • Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Children and Young People Portfolio
  • Councillor David Lyonette, Transport Portfolio
  • Councillor Chris McEwan, Economy and Regeneration Portfolio
  • Councillor Andy Scott, Health and Partnerships Portfolio
  • Councillor Nick Wallis, Leisure and Local Environment Portfolio

In addition to the above, Cabinet  Members have their own specific responsibilities relating to their Portfolio together with a number of collective responsibilities.  Details of these can be found in Schedule 2 in the Responsibility for Functions [pdf document] section of the Constitution. 

Key Decisions

When major decisions are to be discussed or made by Cabinet, these are published in the Cabinet's Forward Plan in so far as they can be anticipated.  If these major decisions are to be discussed with Council Officers at a meeting of the Cabinet, this will generally be open for the public to attend, except where personal or confidential matters are being discussed.

Forward Plan

Cabinet's Forward Plan sets out all the matters that are likely to be the subject of a key decision by the Council's Cabinet during the following four month period.  Should a Key Decision not be included on the Forward Plan for four months the item will include a 'Reason for Late Inclusion'.

A key decision is an executive decision, which, is significant in terms of its impact on the community or could result in significant expenditure or savings to the Council.

The Forward Plan is updated on a monthly basis and contains the following information about each key decision:-

  • Reference Number
  • Relevant Department
  • Contact Details (Officer and Cabinet Member)
  • Brief Description of Decision to be Taken
  • Date to be Considered by Cabinet
  • Deferral History
  • Date to be Considered by Council
  • Documents to be submitted
  • Proposed Consultees
  • Consultation Method
  • Reason for Late Inclusion (if appropriate)
  • Relevant Scrutiny Committee and Chair

You can make representations or obtain relevant documents by contacting the appropriate officer or Cabinet Member as detailed within the Forward Plan or by contacting democratic@darlington.gov.uk