Council structure

Councillors

Wyre Council is made up of 50 councillors who are democratically elected by the residents of Wyre every four years to represent the views and opinions of the communities. Their roles include:

• Deciding how services are provided
• Ensuring that the services the council provides are delivered in the most efficient and effective way
• Agreeing the rates of council tax and other fees and charges for council services 
• Determining how the council's money should be spent

Wyre operates the “executive model” of decision-making. The executive consists of a Leader and Cabinet who, as a group or as individual portfolio holders, take many of the councillor-level decisions. The “Full Council” approves the council’s overall budget and policy framework and has delegated to certain committees and individuals the authority to take decisions on its behalf. 

Each of the committees and individuals shown in the democratic structure chart has the authority to take some decisions.

The decisions that the executive and each committee or person are able to take are detailed in the Responsibility for Functions and Scheme of Delegation parts of the council’s constitution

Find out how to contact all Wyre councillors

Officers of the council

The council employs staff to give advice, implement its decisions and to manage the day-to-day delivery of council services. Council employees are known as "officers" and they are led by the Chief Executive supported by three directors. 

Chief Executive 

Garry Payne is the chief executive. He is principal policy advisor to the council and is the returning officer whenever there is an election. He has direct management responsibility for the three corporate directors.

Corporate Directors

Mark Billington is the corporate director for environment and has management responsibility for engineering, environmental health and community safety, built environment, street scene, parks and open spaces and coast and countryside.

Clare James is the corporate director for resources and has management responsibility for finance, governance, business support and the contact centre

Marianne Hesketh is the corporate director for housing and community services, planning and regeneration, ICT and digital and commercial services.