Wyre Forest District Council

From Wyfopedia

Wyre Forest District Council is the district government authority of the district of Wyre Forest covering the towns Kidderminster, Stourport-on-Severn and Bewdley and the surrounding villages and hamlets.

The council (and district) was formed under the Local Government Act 1972, on 1 April 1974, as a merger of Bewdley Borough Council, Kidderminster Borough Council, Stourport-on-Severn Urban District Council and Kidderminster Rural District Council. The formal headquarters are situated at the Civic Centre, New Street in Stourport but most departments are actually housed in a former carpet company offices in Duke Street, Kidderminster.

Cllr. Fran Oborski is the only district councillor to have served continuously since the inception of the council.

1 Political Management
2 Significant Officers
3 Wards
4 Full Council
5 External Links
6 Also See

[edit] Political Management

The Council elects one of its members into each of the role of chairmanship and vice-chairmanship of the District Council. The Chairman of Wyre Forest District Council is Wyre Forests' First Citizen and represents the District on Civic occasions. Male holders of the Office are refered to as "Chairman", and female holders of the office are refered to as "Madame Chairman".

The Chairman of the Council is entitled to wear a chain of office. The Chain is a former chain from the former Kidderminster Borough Council. It is has a number of "K" 's within its chain, and a district council logo hangs from it on a pendant. It is made from gold.

The Council also annually elects a Leader and a Cabinet which act as the Councils' executive, these appointments are usually drawn from the largest political group. The Cabinet can only act within the budget and policy framework established by Full Council.

The Council also annual establishes various regulatory committees and policy panels. The Chairmanship of regulatory panels are traditionally held by the controling group, and the Chairmanships of the policy panels are held by the oposition groups.

[edit] Significant Officers

Walter Delin Chief Executive Officer and Returning Officer
Andrew Dickens Head of Property and Operational Services
Caroline Newlands Head of Legal and Democratic Services (and Monitoring Officer)
Mike Parker Head of Planning Health and Environment
Linda Collis Head of Community and Partnerships
David Buckland Head of Financial Service & Section 151 officer

[edit] Wards

There are 17 wards of the district:

Aggborough & Spennells (3 seats)

Areley Kings (3 seats)

Bewdley & Arley (3 seats)

Blakedown & Chaddesley (2 seats)

Broadwaters (3 seats)

Cookley (1 seat)

Franche (3 seats)

Greenhill (3 seats)

Habberley & Blakebrook (3 seats)

Lickhill (3 seats)

Mitton (3 seats)

Offmore & Comberton (3 seats)

Oldington & Foley Park (2 seats)

Rock (1 seat)

Sutton Park (3 seats)

Wolverley (1 seat)

Wribbenhall (2 seats)

[edit] Full Council

The council is made of 42 elected councillors, at present the political makeup is...

22 Conservative Councillors
10 Health Concern Councillors
6 Liberal Councillors
2 Labour Councillors
2 Liberal Democrat Councillors

The council mets five times per year, normally on a Wednesday at the Council Chamber in the Civic Centre. Full Council is the ultimate and final decision making body.