Committee details

The Executive meets once a month and makes key decisions within the policy and budgetary framework set by the Council.

The key decisions expected to be taken by the Executive are published at least 28 days before the anticipated decision date in the Executive Work Programme. This also identifies any items likely to be considered in private.

The Executive meetings are attended by the 10 Portfolio Holders, which includes the Leader of the Council. For more information on Cherwell’s Portfolio Holders  click here.

Key Decisions

A key decision is a ‘significant’ decision that is legally within the power of the Council to make, is not precluded by statute from being made under Executive arrangements and is not otherwise retained for decision by Council or delegated to a Committee of Council or officer by the Council’s Constitution.

Significance – A decision is significant if it meets the financial and/or community impact criteria:

·       Financial: A decision that will result in the Council:

·      Incurring potential revenue expenditure or savings above £50,000

·      Incurring potential capital expenditure or savings above £250,000

·      Procuring or awarding any contract having a total value exceeding £500,000

and / or

·       Community Impact: A decision that is significant in its effects on communities living or working in an area comprising two or more Wards in the area of the Council. That is a decision where:

·       A significant number of users of the service in the Ward(s) will be affected and / or

·       An impact that will last for a number of years, or be permanent; and / or

·       A significant impact on communities in terms of environmental and social well-being.

The following are not regarded by the Council to constitute key decisions:

·       Implementing approved budgets or policies and strategies where there is little or no further choice involved and the main decision has already been taken by the council in agreeing the budget and policy framework.

·       Implementing approved actions and targets in annual service plans.

·       Decisions by the Chief Finance Officer which are part of the ordinary financial administration of the Authority, notably those relating to investments, within the agreed Treasury Management Policy.

·       Implementing projects for which specific conditions have been attached by external funders, such as the Government or European Union.

·       The award of contract for the provision of works, goods and services, within an agreed policy and budget and where a decision has been made.

·       Changes arising from amendments to statute where there is little or no discretion.

For a decision to be key, there must be a significant degree of discretion to be exercised by the decision-maker.