The Council comprises 43
councillors all elected every four years. The next District Council
election is in May 2027. Councillors are democratically accountable
to the residents of their ward. The overriding duty of councillors
is to the whole community, but they have a special duty to their
constituents, including those who did not vote for them.
Councillors must agree to abide by a Code of Conduct to ensure high
standards in the way they undertake their duties. All councillors
meet as the Council. Meetings of the Council are normally open to
the public and start at 4pm. At Council meetings, councillors
decide the Council's overall policies and set the budget and level
of Council Tax each year. The Council appoints the Leader of the
Council, the Cabinet and other committees and panels. It is responsible for changes
to the Council's Constitution and the various codes and protocols
contained in it.