The Assembly (also
known as Full Council) is the central political focus of the
Council and the co-ordinating body for all elements of the
political structure. It sets the
overall corporate direction, policy framework and financial
parameters for the Council within which all operations and policies
are carried out. It aims to foster a
community-focused approach to the formal side of the Council's
business, recognising the wider interests of the community and the
need to be accountable to them.
The Assembly
comprises all 51 Members of the Council and generally meets every
two months on a Wednesday at 7.00pm at the Town Hall,
Barking. Its key meetings during the
year are in February, when it sets the Council’s overall
budget and the level of Council Tax for the following year, and in
May, when it holds its Annual Meeting and makes appointments to
committees and other bodies.