1.

To contribute actively to the formation and scrutiny of the Council’s policies, budgets, strategies and services.

2.

To represent effectively the whole community with a special duty to their constituents, including those who did not vote for him or her.

3.

To represent the Council on outside bodies as required.

4.

To participate constructively in the good governance of the District.

5.

To fulfil the statutory and locally determined requirements of an elected Member of a local authority.  To comply with all relevant codes of conduct, and participate in those decisions and activities reserved for the full Council.

1.

To attend and participate effectively as a Member of any committee to which the Councillor is appointed.

2.

To participate in the activities of any outside body to which the Councillor is appointed, providing two-way communication between the organisations, and reporting as required to the Council.  To develop and maintain a working knowledge of the Council’s policies and practices in relation to that body and of the community's needs and aspirations.

3.

To participate in the scrutiny or performance review of the services of the Authority including where the Council so decides, the scrutiny of policies and budget, and their effectiveness in achieving the strategic objectives of the Council.

4.

To participate in any advisory group to which the Councillor is appointed, as convened by the Executive from time to time.

5.

To participate, as appropriate, in consultation with the community and with other organisations.

6.

To develop and maintain a working knowledge of the Council’s services, management arrangements, organisation and activities, powers/duties, and constraints.

7.

To contribute constructively to open government and democratic renewal through active encouragement to the community to participate in the governance of the District.

8.

To maintain professional working relationships with all Members and Officers.

9.

To identify and participate in opportunities for further development and training as a Councillor.

1.

Ensure efficient and effective services, where they are relevant to the needs of the community and the responsibility of Chiltern District Council, in the short, medium and long term.

2.

Provide visible political leadership in relation to citizens, stakeholders and partners in the overall co-ordination of policies, strategies and service delivery affecting the locality.

3.

Lead the Executive in its work to develop the policy framework and budget and take overall political control of the Council within the agreed policy framework.

4.

Lead the development of local and regional strategic partnerships.

5.

Ensure the appropriate representation of the Council on key outside bodies.

1.

To provide leadership to the Council and its political administration, and lead the presentation of the recommendations, plans, policies and decisions of the Executive and the Council.

2.

To represent the Council in the community and in discussions with regional, national and international organisations and others to pursue matters of interest to the Council and its communities.

3.

Nominate Members of the Executive to full Council and allocate Executive portfolios.

4.

To direct, manage and chair meetings of the Executive and to take responsibility, individually and/or collectively for any specific portfolio, including providing a political lead in proposing new policy, strategy, budget and service standards and reviews, as well as acting as spokesperson for the Council.

5.

To direct and manage the Chief Executive, and to meet regularly (with or without the Executive) with the Chief Executive, Directors and other relevant senior officers to consider and recommend action within approved policies and strategies.

6.

To consider the development and training needs of the Executive and members generally and arrange for training sessions or suitable briefings as appropriate.

7.

To receive and act as appropriate upon representations from councillors, the public, organisations and senior officers.

1.

Assist and deputise for the Leader in his/her absence or when required in any of the Leader's areas of responsibilities.

1.

To take responsibility within the Executive on the basis of collective decision making and such individual delegation that may apply, for a portfolio of services or functions of the Council.

2.

To input into the Executive any information, intelligence or factors considered relevant to the issues under consideration by the Executive.

3.

To contribute actively through the portfolio and membership of the Executive to the formation and scrutiny of the Council’s policies, budgets, strategies and services.

Key Tasks

To participate in the Executive and to implement agreed policies by taking responsibility individually and/or collectively for any portfolio allocated by the Leader of the Council, including proposing new policy, strategy, programming, budget and service standards, and leading performance review.

To develop a clear understanding and in depth knowledge of the respective portfolio, the scope and range of the relevant services for which he/she is responsible and an awareness of current agreed policies and budgetary implications in respect of those services.

To consult and communicate with all members, council officers, key partners and the community as appropriate to ensure policies, strategies, budgets and decisions are well informed and that Council policies are widely understood and positively promoted.

To convene and chair as appropriate policy advisory groups of Members and outside experts to inform policy making.

To ensure that the Council is briefed at the appropriate time on significant issues within the respective portfolio – i.e.  those which have financial or other major resource implications or which will result in a change to established policy.

To act as spokesperson for the Council and answer and account to the Council and the community on matters within the portfolio.

To work closely with Directors and other senior officers responsible for the services within the portfolio.

To appraise the performance of Directors and Heads of Service in accordance with a scheme agreed by the Council.

To work with officers on the implementation of agreed plans, policies and programmes within the portfolio and inform the Executive of progress and performance.

To participate in scrutiny or performance reviews of services as requested by the Scrutiny Committee.

To represent the Council and the Executive in the community and elsewhere as required by the Leader.

3

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS FOR NON-EXECUTIVE COUNCILLORS

1.

To uphold and promote the purposes of the Constitution and to interpret the Constitution when necessary.

2.

To preside over meetings of the Council so that its business can be carried out efficiently and with regard to the rights of councillors and the interests of the community.

3.

To ensure that the Council meeting is a forum for the debate of matters of concern to the local community and the place at which members are able to hold the Executive to account.

4.

To promote public involvement in the Council's activities.

5.

To be the conscience of the Council, and act impartially.

6.

To attend such civic and ceremonial functions as the Council and/or he determines appropriate and take precedence at formal occasions.

7.

To ensure the dignity of the office and Council is maintained at all times.

Key Tasks

1.

To chair all meetings of the full Council.

2.

To chair major consultation meetings organised by the Council, as appropriate.

3.

To chair meetings of the Standards Committee.

4.

To set the standard of conduct to be expected from all Councillors.

5.

To help represent the Council in the community and in discussions with regional, national and international organisations and others.

6.

To attend functions appropriate to the position of Chairman of the Council.

7.

To host an annual reception and other smaller appropriate functions as necessary.

8.

To act as host to visiting Royalty, civic dignitaries and other important visitors.

9.

To act as consultee when the Chief Executive is considering appeals from any complaints where a complainant is dissatisfied with the response received from a Directorate.

10.

If the Articles so require, to sign documents that are presented for sealing.

11.

To ensure that if he or she is unable to attend an appropriate event, that the Vice Chairman of Council or other councillor nominee will attend.

12.

To meet with relevant officers to ensure the receipt of appropriate advice to enable effective decisions.

B

Vice-Chairman of the Council

1.

To assist the Chairman of the Council in whatever appropriate activities the Chairman requests.

2.

To deputise for the Chairman of the Council in his or her absence.

Key Tasks

1.

To assist the Chairman of the Council in the ceremonial business of the Council and deputise and assist in all other activities as appropriate.

2.

To be familiar with all relevant rules, procedures and protocols and undertake relevant training and development.

C

Chairman of Scrutiny Committee

1.

To chair meetings of the Scrutiny Committee and hold specific responsibility for the programming and direction of reviews, lead Best Value reviews, accessing professional advice where appropriate, and the assembly and presentation to Council of reports, including minority reports, where necessary.

2.

To lead the scrutiny functions of the Council, in holding the Executive to account, review and developing policy, considering key matters of local concern and conducting Best Value reviews.

3.

Set a positive and constructive style and tone to the scrutiny process.

1.

To chair the Scrutiny Committee and develop and maintain a working knowledge of the practices, procedures, services and functions which fall within the Committee's terms of reference.

2.

To propose an Annual Scrutiny Programme or work plan, drawn up in consultation with councillors and senior officers, to achieve a balance of service interests and broad coverage of all council services over time.

4.

To lead the development and investigation of policy proposals referred to the Committee by the Executive.

5.

To take a lead role in scrutinising the decisions of officers, after consultation with the Chief Executive.

6.

To lead in identifying cross-cutting strategy issues and ensure a corporate approach to appropriate scrutiny in such areas

7.

To take a lead role in reviewing the performance of other public bodies in the area.

8.

In partnership with the appropriate senior officers, to contribute to the agenda for committee meetings.

9.

Maintain an overview of the Best Value Review Programme, integrating the work of the Best Value Sub-Committee and the main Scrutiny Committee.

10.

To meet with relevant officers to ensure the receipt of appropriate advice to ensure effective scrutiny.

11.

To ensure contact with non- executive councillors, community representatives and local stakeholders to ensure the effective scrutiny of policies, strategies, budgets and performance.

12.

To be familiar with the urgency provisions and consider proposals put forward by the Executive under these procedures.

13.

To act as Spokesperson for the Committee and ensure reports and statements reflect the Committee's deliberations to Council and elsewhere.

14.

To undertake such other meetings as are necessary for effective and efficient functioning of the Committee within its terms of reference.

D

Vice Chairmen of Scrutiny

1.

To assist and deputise for the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee.

2.

To chair a sub-committee of Scrutiny dealing with specific aspects of the Scrutiny work programme.

(a)

As Vice Chairman of Scrutiny Committee and Chairman of Sub-Committee

To assist and deputise for the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee in all the key tasks of the role as allocated by the Chairman of Scrutiny.

To chair the Sub-Committee and lead in the investigation of policy proposals allocated by the Scrutiny Committee, in particular by leading a sub-committee examining a specified topic.

To take a lead role in scrutinising policy decisions taken by the Executive as allocated by the Scrutiny Committee.

To consider the development and training requirements of members of that Sub-Committee and arrange for suitable briefings and training seminars as appropriate.

(b)

As Vice-Chairman of Scrutiny Committee and Chairman of Best Value Sub-Committee

1

     To assist and deputise for the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee in all the key tasks of the role as allocated by the Chairman of Scrutiny.

2

     To chair the Sub-Committee and lead the programme of Best Value reviews of the Council, ensuring that reviews meet the requirements of challenge, compare, compete and consult.

3

     To develop and maintain a working knowledge of the practices and procedures of Best Value.

4

     To take a lead role in ensuring the challenge process by members in the Best Value reviews is undertaken in a positive, constructive and rigorous manner and that review teams respond in an open and informative way to the issues under discussion.

5

     To maintain a watching brief on the Best Value responsibilities of the Executive and to ensure that any identified shortcomings in the delivery of the Best Value programme or performance of the Council's services are brought to the attention of the Executive.

6

     To consider the development and training requirements of members of that sub-committee and arrange for suitable briefings and training seminars as appropriate.

7

     To keep the Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee informed.

E.

Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Regulatory and other Committees

1.

To chair the committee and develop and maintain a working knowledge of the practices, procedures, services and functions which fall within the committee's terms of reference.

2.

To meet with relevant officers to ensure the receipt of appropriate advice to inform effective decisions.

3.

To consider the development and training requirements of members of the committee and arrange for suitable briefings or training sessions as appropriate.

4.

To develop a specialist knowledge in the subject area of the committee, particularly Government guidance and local policies.

1.

To provide leadership to one of the political groups of the Council

2.

To ensure effective, positive and constructive approach to the governance of the Council.

(b)

As a Group Leader

1

     To lead one of the political groups of the Council.

2

     To act as the spokesperson for that group.

3

     To nominate members of his/her group to serve on committees, and, if appropriate, local outside bodies.

1

To lead the (or one of the) political groups providing the Council's formal opposition, including scrutiny of the political administration of the Council.

2

To nominate a councillor to act as Vice-Chairman of a Sub-Committee of Scrutiny (as Group Leader of the largest minority party).