The Cabinet carries out those
duties and responsibilities which are not the responsibility of any
other part of the Council; some of these are local choice functions
which Council has chosen to delegate to the Cabinet and others are
because the law says so.
Cabinet consists of the Leader
of the Council and up to 9 other Councillors and is responsible for
such functions as do not fall within the responsibilities of
individual Cabinet members.
These functions include
consulting, developing, monitoring and reviewing various elements
of the Council’s plans and policies; liaising with Scrutiny
and advising on budget setting and related financial matters;
ensuring proper arrangements exist for the effective and efficient
management of the Councils affairs and that officers discharge
their responsibilities efficiently and effectively; monitoring and
auditing the conduct of the Council’s financial affairs;
advising on and determining matters in respect of the Councils
Constitution; developing, monitoring and reviewing any Council
corporate personnel and human resources policies and the provision
of services to the council; overseeing approving and co-ordinating
policies on communications, public and media relations and public
affairs generally and also with external organisations and
partnerships, the Local Government Association and like bodies;
supporting the Northwest Regional Assembly and like bodies on
regional matters and ensuring the Council’s views are made
known; the promotion of the Council’s image, role and
relationships in Europe and the preparation and approval of
regional and sub-regional plans and strategies; to advise the
Council on strategic matters in relation to corporate and community
governance and strategy and the monitoring and review local
working; the preparation and approval of major planning studies;
the promotion of employment and investment in the area for both
economic development and tourism; and dealing with any Local
Development Framework functions given to the Council by the
Secretary of State.