The Council has adopted a decision making process based on Leader of Council and a Cabinet.

The County Council retains responsibility for the Council's overall level of spending and for the major policies of the Council but the day to day decision making is the responsibility of the Cabinet or is delegated to Council officers.

Scrutiny Committees look at the effectiveness of Council services and scrutinise Cabinet decisions.

These arrangements are underpinned by a number of all party advisory groups (Service Development Groups).

County Advisory Groups provide opportunities for wider input into the County Council's democratic processes.

The Council's regulatory functions are exercised by separate committees (e.g. , Development Control Committee, Standards Committee and other committees dealing mainly with appeals).

A more detailed description of the Council's democratic arrangements is contained in the document - "Democratic Arrangements" - which can be accessed from the link on the right of this page.