The Council's formal committee structure

The full Council, made up of all councillors, appoints The Executive, a Scrutiny Overview Committee, three Scrutiny Committees, an Audit Committee, Development Control Committee, two Licensing Committees, a Standards Committee and six Local Committees.  Councillors from all parties sit on these committees, with the exception of The Executive which only has members from the majority party on it.  The Leader of the Council chairs The Executive.

The Executive is the main decision making body.  It sets the direction and policies of the Council.

The Licensing Committees are responsible for carrying out functions required under the Licensing Act 2003  and other licensing and registration functions required by other  legislation.

The six Local Committees are made up of all councillors in the area concerned.   They have powers over local services in those areas.  Click on the link to find out more information about Local Committees.

The Standards Committee deals with councillors' conduct. Consultative forums involve local interest groups and residents, raise concerns and advise the Council.

Members of The Executive are not allowed to sit on the Scrutiny Committees, the Scrutiny Overview Committee or the Audit Committee.

How can I become involved?

Attend a council meeting, a meeting of your Local Committee, The Executive, the Scrutiny Overview Committee, Audit Committee, Development Control Committee or one of the Scrutiny Committees.

Ask a question, present a petition, or lead a deputation to the Council or a committee meeting.  (Ring or E-Mail the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for details).

Contact your local Councillors direct or attend one of their regular surgeries.   (Ring or E-Mail the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for details or look in your local library).

Join a local voluntary group (Contact Sutton Centre for Voluntary Sector on 020 8770 4861 for further information).

If the future of your environment and community concerns you then you can join one of your Local Agenda 21 groups.  (Contact the Centre for Environmental Initiatives - 020 8770 6611).

Have Your Say

Can anyone come to the meetings?
Meetings are open to the public.  Members of the public will be excluded from certain discussions if they are about individuals, commercial issues and other confidential matters.

How do I know when the committees will meet?
The Council regularly publishes posters telling residents where and when its meetings are.  A calendar of meetings can also be seen here.  You can also contact the Democratic Services Manager on 020 8770 5120.  Details are also in your local library and Council offices and on Council notice boards.

How do I present petitions and deputations?
If the petition contains 50 or more signatures from Sutton residents on the electoral roll, a representative of the petitioners will be allowed to address the meeting.  Petitions must be with the Chief Executive at least 14 days before the relevant meeting.

Deputations on a matter already on a meeting's agenda must be from a group of at least 12 Sutton residents or a spokesperson representing a Sutton organisation.  Requests must be made in writing to the Chief Executive five days before the relevant meeting. The Mayor or the Chair of the meeting will decide whether a representative of a deputation can address the meeting.  Petitions and deputations can be considered by full Council, The Executive, Scrutiny Committees, Local Committees and Development Control Committee.  Contact the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for advice. 

How do I ask questions at Council and Local Committee meetings?
Sutton residents can ask questions at all ordinary meetings of the full Council and at Local Committee meetings.

Council Meetings

Questions for Council Meetings must be received by the Chief Executive by 10.00 (10 am) on the Tuesday before the meeting. They cannot be submitted more than three weeks before a Council meeting.  Thirty minutes are allowed for questions from Sutton residents at the start of the Council meeting.

Contact the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5120 for more information.

Local Committees

Residents can ask questions or raise issues at Local Committee meetings, with the agreement of the Chair. 

Contact the Democratic Services Section on 020 8770 5115 for more information.

How do I complain about services?
You can complain about services by letter, phone, fax, e-mail or in person.   There is an explanatory leaflet available at local libraries and Council receptions called 'Comments and Complaints'.

How do I find out more about what the Council does?
Information can be found in the Council's Community Plan.  We have also written Action Plans on how we meet our goals.  Details are available from the Public Relations section on 020 8770 5130.

If you are not sure where or when the Council will take a decision on a matter that interests you, contact the Democratic Services Manager on 020 8770 5120.