How the Council works
Dartford
Borough Council has the responsibility for running local
planning, housing and environmental health, refuse collection, enforcement,
electoral registration, open spaces, parking services and cemeteries.
Some other public services, such as Education, Social services and Highways, are provided by Kent County Council.
Councillors
Dartford Borough Council has 44 elected Councillors (also known as Members), representing 17 wards. Members act together to decide the framework and future development of Council services to the public.
The role of the Officers is to advise Members on all factors relating to the Council's policy objectives and the implementation of Council decisions.
The Council's current political makeup is:
- Conservative 26
- Labour 12
- Residents' Association 6
The Council adopted an executive/political structure in 2001, based on the 'Cabinet with Leader' model.
The Cabinet meets in public every four weeks. It is made up of six Councillors, and is chaired by the Leader of the Council. These Councillors have a particular interest in, or 'Portfolio' for, specific groups of Council services.
The Cabinet proposes the draft budget and policy framework to the Council. It leads and co-ordinates the community planning process and decides on resources and priorities.
The Cabinet is also advised by two Cabinet Advisory panels. which enable
all Councillors to be involved in the Cabinet decision-making process.
The Scrutiny Committee, in the exercise of its scrutiny functions,
holds Cabinet and Officers to account for the discharge of functions.
The Committee can refer a decision back to Cabinet to be reconsidered.
The Quality Services Committee in the exercise of its overview
functions develops and reviews Council policies (corporate and
service specific) and recommends future policy options or changes
to existing policies or practices.
The Crime and Disorder(Overview and Scrutiny) Committee reviews and scrutinises the discharge of the crime and disorder functions of the responsible authorities (local authorities, fire and rescue authorities, police authorities, the police, primary care trusts) which comprise the Dartford and Gravesham Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. The Committee also reviews and scrutinises the discharge of any other local crime and disorder matter related to the Council’s crime and disorder functions.
Other Council committees:
- Appeals Panel
- Appointments Panel
- Audit Board
- Standards Committee
- Assessment Sub-committee
- Review Sub-commitee
- Hearing Sub-committee
- Discretionary Housing Payments Panel
- Development Control Board
- Licensing Committee
- Licensing Sub-committee
- Remuneration and Performance Management Panel
- Joint Transportation Board (which is a joint body with Kent County Council).
The Standards Committee deals with Councillor Ethics and oversees and
reviews the Council's Constitution.
The Independent Remuneration Panel is an advisory panel comprised of
non-elected members who advise the Council on its Members' Allowances
Scheme.
Dartford Borough Council, with Gravesham
Borough Council and Kent County
Council, co-ordinates the local authority approach to issues of regeneration
within ‘Kent Thameside’.
