The cabinet, or executive, is the council's key decision-making body. It is made up of seven councillors, appointed each year by the full council. The leader of the largest political group in the council is appointed to head the cabinet. This role – the leader of the council – should not be confused with that of the chair of the council, which is mainly a ceremonial role.
The executive is able to make day-to-day decisions as long as these are in line with the council's budget and policies. If it wishes to make a decision which is outside the budget or policy framework, this must be referred to the full council.
Each executive member has a portfolio – a responsibility for a particular area of the council's work. They have the authority to make detailed decisions on matters within their portfolio.
Each week the council publishes a list of decisions taken or proposed by its executive. The list also includes decisions (and proposed decisions) of individual members of the executive. The executive also publishes the monthly Forward Plan – a timetable of the key decisions which are due to be made over the coming months.
All decisions which are proposed and taken are open to scrutiny by the council's select committee.