Under the Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, the Council is required to publish a notice setting out those key decisions to be taken by the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet, Cabinet Members and Officers at least 28 clear days before the decision is made.
In addition, the regulations require the Council to publish details of any decisions to be taken in private at a meeting of the Executive at least 28 clear days before the meeting.
"Key Decisions" are defined as those that are likely to
For the purpose of (a) above, the Council has defined significant expenditure or savings as being in excess of £500,000 per annum.
The Forward Plan is used to provide the required 28-day notice of such decisions and this also includes decisions that are proposed to be taken over the next four months by the Leader of the Council, the Cabinet, Cabinet Members and Officers of the Council.
It is intended that, by publishing the Forward Plan residents will be able to find out the expected timing of key decisions, who will take them and also the consultation mechanisms available to them.
The Forward Plan will be updated with the information set out above and will be published at least 28 days before the date of the Cabinet meeting to which it refers.
The Plan will be published on or before the following dates during the 2012 / 2013 municipal year:
| Edition | Date of Cabinet | Publication Date for Forward Plan of Key Decisions |
|---|---|---|
| December 2012 | 16 January 2013 | 17 December 2012 |
| January 2013 | 13 February 2013 | 15 January 2013 |
| February 2013 | 13 March 2013 | 12 February 2013 |
| March 2013 | 10 April 2013 | 12 March 2013 |
| April 2013 | 8 May 2013 | 9 April 2013 |
The definition of what constitutes confidential or exempt information is contained within Chapter 8 of the Council's Constitution.
At least 28 clear days before a meeting where confidential or exempt information is to be considered, the Council will make available at the Civic Offices and on its website, a notice of its intention to hold all or part of a meeting in private, i.e., where the press and public are excluded.
Any such notice must include a statement of the reasons for the meeting to be held in private. Upon publication of this notice, representations may be received by the Council about why a particular decision should be open to the public. Any such representations should be made as follows:
In writing, addressed to:
By e-mail to: direct.democracy@thurrock.gov.uk.
At least five clear days before a private meeting, where the press and public are excluded from all or part of a meeting, the Council will make available at the Civic Offices and on its website a further notice of its intention to hold all or part of a meeting in private.
This notice must include a statement of the reasons for all or part of the meeting to be held in private, details of any representations received by the decision-making body about why the meeting should be open to the public, and, a statement of its response to any such representations made.
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