Alderstead Council combines democratic leadership by elected councillors with professional administration by council officers. The two roles are connected but distinct.

Leader and Cabinet

The council uses the leader-and-cabinet model. Full Council elects the Leader. The Leader and Cabinet exercise the executive functions allocated to them by the council constitution and provide political direction within those responsibilities.

Councillors remain accountable through the democratic process. Cabinet members do not personally become the professional managers of the services in their portfolios; officers administer services and provide professional advice within the council's management arrangements.

Senior officer functions

The council maintains the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer and Chief Finance Officer functions. The Head of Paid Service supports the organisation and management of the council's staff. The Monitoring Officer supports legality and good governance. The Chief Finance Officer provides professional financial stewardship.

These roles sit alongside democratic services, legal, finance, audit, procurement, records, complaints, equality, safeguarding governance, resilience and performance functions needed to run the authority.

Different forms of accountability

Elected members are politically accountable for democratic choices. Officers are professionally accountable for administration, advice, implementation and the statutory or professional responsibilities attached to their roles. Keeping that distinction clear supports both democratic control and sound administration.