The Council has the following functions:
Adoption of and changes to the Constitution;
Approval of, adoption of and revisions to the policy framework and the 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);
Adoption of Plans and Strategies including the Community Plan/Strategy, Capital Strategy, and other plans which it decides, as a matter of local choice, should be the responsibility of the Council to adopt;
Election/Appointment of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Council; the Leader and members of the Cabinet; members of Committees and Sub Committees;
Agreeing and amending the terms of reference for Committees, deciding on their composition and making appointments to them;
Appointing representatives to outside bodies;
Adoption of the District Council's Codes of Conduct;
Adopting an allowances scheme;
Confirming the appointment or dismissal of the Head of Paid Service;
Making, amending, revoking, re-enacting or adopting bylaws and promoting or opposing the making of local legislation or personal Bills;
Inviting contributions from relevant community groups or representatives; and
Agreeing and supporting the community engagement activities
These committees undertake a function that is not part of the Executive functions of the Council
The Committee is part of the Council’s Overview and Scrutiny framework that helps to ensure that local public services are delivered effectively, efficiently and in the best interests of residents and people that live and work in the Epping Forest District. Overview and Scrutiny is an important mechanism through which public accountability can be exercised and all Councillors (except members of the Cabinet) can participate in the scrutiny of the Council and its partners. The primary role of overview and scrutiny is to hold local decision-makers to account and to help improve local services by:
(a) reviewing and challenging decisions taken by the Council and its partners;
(b) undertaking investigations into services or policy areas which are of interest or concern to people in the District; and
(c) making evidence-based recommendations to improve services provided by the Council and partner organisations;
Overview and Scrutiny has wide-ranging powers to investigate areas of local interest. Scrutiny activity is not restricted to services provided by the Council, as any area of interest to the local community may be investigated by Overview and Scrutiny. Councillors are also able to refer any local matter relating to local government, or affecting their ward or constituents, to Overview and Scrutiny. In this context, Overview and Scrutiny plays an important role in local democracy as it can help to:
(d) enhance the accountability of local services;
(e) improve the transparency of decision-making; and
(f) enable Councillors to represent the views of local people.
Functions
Those functions pertaining to licensing and registration and permits and consents
Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963
Breeding & Sale of Dogs (Welfare) Act 1999
Breeding of Dogs Act 1973
Breeding of Dogs Act 1991
Caravan Sites & Control of Development Act 1960
Caravan Sites Act 1968
Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976
Gambling Act 2005
Guard Dogs Act 1975
House to House Collections Act 1939
Licensing Act 2003
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982
Pet Animals Acts 1951 & Pet Animals Act 1951 (Amendment Act) 1983
Riding Establishments Acts 1964 & 1970
Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964
The Game Act 1831
Town Police Clauses Act 1847
Town Police Clauses Act 1889
Zoo Licensing Act 1981
Any Regulations, Orders, Byelaws or other subsidiary legislation made under the above Acts.
Most matters are determined by a Subcommittee of three of the 15 members based upon a predetermined rota.
(a) promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Councillors and Co-Opted Members;
(b) assisting Councillors and Co-Opted Members to observe the Members' Code of Conduct;
(c) advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members' Code of Conduct;
(d) monitoring the operation of the Members' Code of Conduct;
(e) advising, training or arranging to train Councillors and Co-Opted Members on matters relating to the Members' Code of Conduct
(f) considering dispensations to Councillors and Co-Opted Members (including Parish and Town Councillors) from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members' Code of Conduct
(g) dealing with any reports referred from or on behalf of the Monitoring Officer on any matter, including investigations relating to Councillor conduct;
(h) the exercise of (a) to (g) above in relation to the Parish Councils wholly or mainly in its area and the members of those Parish Councils either directly or through joint arrangements from time to time agreed; and
(i) adjudication on complaints regarding the operation of District Council protocols annexed to the Constitution; and
Revised ToR agreed by Standards Committee in July 2015