Democratic Services

Democratic Services provides effective and efficient committee administration, Mayoralty and councillor services and civic catering.

It aims to:
 

• record and disseminate Council decisions in a fast and accountable manner
• assist councillors and officers to undertake their roles and ensure that there are no barriers to sound decision-making
• form good working relationships with Council's partners, relevant local organisations, local, regional and national bodies
• support and enhance the role of the Mayor and all councillors to ensure that they have the facilities to undertake their duties

Democratic Services is made up of Committee Services, Member Support and Town Hall Catering Service managed by the Democratic Services Manager.

Click here for more information on Member Support
Click here for more information on Town Hall Catering

Committee Services, based at the Civic Offices, Grove Road, Rotherham, are contactable from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. and play a leading role in the operation of the Council's democratic arrangements. They currently service meetings of the Council and meet all statutory requirements in accordance with the Council's Constitution.

The roles of the Principal and Democratic Services officers include:

Preparation and creation of agendas and minutes using an electronic method, which automatically generates a document pack that can be published to the intranet and internet, ensuring that Access to Information and Freedom of Information legislation is followed.

The servicing of around 2,000 general meetings involving councillors: full Council, Cabinet and Cabinet-Members, Scrutiny Panels, Regulatory Boards, the Standards Committee, a wide range of ad hoc committees, complaints panels, employee appeals and grievance hearings, school admission and exclusion appeals.



In addition, a variety of officer working groups and meetings are serviced with the Council's partner organisations, supporting the Chief Executive Officer.

Working closely in partnership with RBT to provide councillors with IT support and equipment in accordance with the agreed levels, having regard to no resources having been made available directly by the Council for this need.

Take the lead on service initiatives to ensure all options are fully considered, evaluated and implemented if budgetary provision exists.

The provision of advice, assistance and information to councillors, officers and the general public who come into contact with the Council through the meetings process.

Electronic administration of the bookings for the use of the committee rooms within the Town Hall.

Preparation of the Council's annual schedule of meetings and the Year Book and Diary, which is produced by an external company at no cost to the Council.

Providing assistance for up-to-date Council information relative to Democratic Services and councillor details.

Committee Services are contactable on any of the numbers listed below:-