Assembly

The Assembly (also known as Full Council) is the central political focus of the Council and the co-ordinating body for all elements of the political structure.  It sets the overall corporate direction, policy framework and financial parameters for the Council within which all operations and policies are carried out.  It aims to foster a community-focused approach to the formal side of the Council's business, recognising the wider interests of the community and the need to be accountable to them.   The Assembly comprises all 51 Members of the Council and generally meets every two months on a Wednesday at 7.00pm at the Town Hall, Barking.  Its key meetings during the year are in February, when it sets the Council’s overall budget and the level of Council Tax for the following year, and in May, when it holds its Annual Meeting and makes appointments to committees and other bodies.