The Council, comprising the elected Mayor and 45 Councillors, is responsible for key strategic functions of Tower Hamlets, including setting the Council's overall policies, budget, and Council Tax rate. It also approves the Council's Constitution and the Members' allowance scheme.
The Council acts as a forum for debate and questioning of the Executive, and considers petitions. While it cannot make every decision itself, it appoints committees, such as Planning and Licensing, to handle specific functions, including determining applications. Council functions are also referred to as 'non-Executive functions'.