Torbay Council is a Unitary Authority and is composed of an elected Mayor and 36 councillors who are elected every 4 years.  The Mayor and all councillors meet together as the Council to decide our overall policies and to set the budget for each year.  The Mayor appoints a group of 9 councillors who together with the Mayor form the Cabinet.  The Council also appoints a number of regulatory and other committees.

The elected Mayor is the first citizen of Torbay but the Chairman of Torbay Council wears the chain of office and undertakes the civic and ceremonial role.  The Mayor and Councillors are supported by council officers, who are not elected. They are led by a Chief Executive and three strategic directors.

The council is accountable to its council tax payers and all its services are independently inspected. Torbay Council is officially a fair council according to its latest Comprehensive Performance Assessment.