Purpose

At the start of each municipal year the Leader has to make a decision on whether to re-constitute any Cabinet Advisory Groups from the previous year in order for these sub groups to continue to inform policy development by Cabinet.

Decision

To recreate Cabinet Advisory Groups as per the list set out in the report with the membership and terms of reference attached at Annexes 1-5.

Reasons for the decision

In the 2025/2026 there were five Cabinet Advisory Groups, these were:

1.  Local Plan Cabinet Advisory Group

2.  Housing Cabinet Advisory Group

3.  Climate Change Cabinet Advisory Group

4.  Equalities Cabinet Advisory Group

5.  Cyber Security Cabinet Advisory Group

All five Cabinet Advisory Groups played an important role in the previous year to review a number of policy initiatives that Cabinet was actively considering and creating a platform for in-depth review of various suggestions and proposals in different policy areas. Continuing with this approach would enhance policy development and help inform Cabinet decisions and by extension Council decisions.

Alternative options considered

The Leader of Council may wish to create the groups set out in the report, alternatively he may wish to create some or none at all. This is the officer recommended approach.

The Leader could opt to discontinue with this approach. However, this approach would lead to Cabinet missing out on non-Cabinet member contributions to policy development. And was therefore not recommended.