[Handler onLayoutPageLoad attached to 'l-gm-constitution-fv-pt2-article7' (67933) on page 'l-gm-constitution-fv-pt2-article7.htm'] Line 60: TypeError: current has no properties

Article 7: The Full Council

7.01 The Full Council

The Full Council comprises the Elected Mayor and 57 Councillors who represent the areas of the London Borough of Hackney called wards.

All Councillors meet together regularly as the Full Council, to decide on the Council's policy framework and budget, and to agree the strategic direction for the Council which is then implemented by the Cabinet and monitored by Overview and Scrutiny.

The Full Council is the borough's assembly, where Councillors as the elected representatives of the borough's residents speak up for and on behalf of their constituents. It is an opportunity for deliberation and political debate on issues of concern about which the Council should express a view, and also an opportunity for Councillors from all political parties and none to come together as the elected voice of the borough.

The frequency of the meetings of full Council will be determined annually at a meeting of full Council.

7.02 Functions of the Full Council

The following functions will be exercised by the Full Council only.

(a) Adopting and changing the Constitution in accordance with Article 16.

(b) Approving or adopting the policy framework, the budget and any application to the Secretary of State in respect of any housing land transfer.

(c) Making decisions about any matter relating to the discharge of an Executive function covered by the Policy Framework or Budget where the Cabinet is minded to make the decision in a manner which would be contrary to the Policy Framework or contrary or not wholly in accordance with the budget. The Full Council's exercise of this function is subject to the Urgency Procedure contained in the Access to Information Procedure Rules, the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules and the Scrutiny Procedure Rules all of which are contained in Part 4 of this Constitution.

(d) Agreeing and/or amending the terms of reference for Committees, deciding on their composition and making appointments to them (unless otherwise specified in this Constitution).

(e) Appointing representatives to outside bodies unless the appointment is an Cabinet decision or has been delegated by the Council.

(f) Adopting a Members  Allowances Scheme.

(g) Changing the name of the area.

(h) Conferring the title of Honorary Freeman or Freedom of the Borough.

(i) Confirming the appointment of the Head of Paid Service.

(j) Making, amending, revoking, re-enacting or adopting bylaws and promoting or opposing the makings of local legislation or personal bills.

(k) All local choice functions set out in Part 3 of this Constitution which the Council decide should be undertaken by itself rather than the Cabinet or an officer.

All other matters which by law must be reserved to Council or which the Council may lawfully choose to undertake or refer to itself.

7.03 Meanings

(a) Policy framework

The policy frameworks mean the following plans and strategies subject to any variation that may from time to time be made in response to legislation. Any change to the framework which is necessary as a result of changes in legislation will be incorporated into this constitution by the Monitoring Officer without the need for the agreement of Full Council.

bulletCommunity Strategy
bulletHackney Performance Plan
bulletCouncil Budget, including Housing Revenue Account and Setting of Council Tax
bulletChildren’s Service Strategy
bulletOlder People’s Plan
bulletLearning Trust Annual Plan
bulletLocal Transport Plan
bulletLocal Development Framework and Local Area Action Plans
bulletHousing Strategy
bulletEqualities Statement
bulletInternal Audit Plan
bulletThe Members Allowance Scheme
bulletLicensing Policy
bulletHealth Improvement and Modernisation Plan
bulletCrime & Disorder Reduction Strategy
Where the responsibility for some of the above plans lies with other partnership bodies, the Council will agree the Council's contribution to those plans.

(b) Budget

The budget includes the allocation of financial resources to different services and projects, proposed contingency funds, the Council Tax base, setting the Council Tax and decisions relating to the control of the Council's borrowing requirement, the control of its capital expenditure and the setting of virement limits.

(c) Housing Land Transfer

Housing Land Transfer means the approval or adoption of applications (whether in draft form or not) to the Secretary of State for approval of a program of disposal of 500 or more properties to a person under the Leasehold Reform Housing & Urban Development Act 1993 or to dispose of land used for residential purposes where approval is required under sections 32 or 43 of the Housing Act 1985.

7.04 There are four types of Council meeting;

(a) The Annual General Meeting
(b) Ordinary meetings
(c) Extra-ordinary meetings
(d) Meetings involving alternative forms of debate that will be conducted in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules contained in Part 4 of the Constitution.

All meetings of the Council will be conducted in accordance with the Council Procedure Rules in Part 4 of this Constitution.

7.05 Responsibility

The Monitoring Officer will maintain the tables in Part 3 of this Constitution setting out the responsibilities for the Council's functions which are not the responsibility of the Cabinet.

7.06 Timescales

The provision of the Local Government Act 2000 in respect of the Policy and Budget Framework are reflected in the procedure rules set out in Part 4 of this Constitution. In some circumstances the procedure rules may conflict with processes and timescales prescribed by statute for a particular plan. Where such conflicts arise, the Cabinet may vary the timescales for consultation set out in this Constitution where they conflict with those prescribed for a particular plan but in doing so, must consult with the Speaker of the Council and the Chair of the Overview and Scrutiny Board.