CONSTITUTION

Constitution of the Council

The Council's Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

The document is available below and is divided into sections, known as Parts. The following gives an indication on the contents of each of the Parts.

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

Article 1 – The Constitution
Article 2 – Members of the Council
Article 3 – Citizens and the Council
Article 4 – The Full Council
Article 5 – Chairing the Council
Article 6 – Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Article 7 – Policy and Regulatory Committees
Article 8 – The Standards Committee
Article 9 – Task Groups, Local Strategic Partnership and Forums
Article 10 – Joint Arrangements
Article 11 – Officers
Article 12 – Decision Making
Article 13 – Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters
Article 14 – Review and Revision of the Constitution
Article 15 – Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions

Full Council
Policy, Finance and Administration Committee
Rural, Economic & Environmental Committee
Community and Social Affairs Committee
Development Committee
Appeals Committee
Licensing Committee
Overview and Scrutiny Committee
Joint Arrangements
Working Groups

Part 3 - Scheme of Delegations to Officers

Introduction

General Provisions
Chief Executive

Monitoring Officer
Head of Central Services

Solicitor to the Council

Corporate Property Officer
Head of Communications

Head of Communities & Neighbourhoods
Head of Regulatory Services
Proper Officer Provisions

Deputy Proper Officer Provisions

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure

Council Procedure Rules
Access to Information Procedure Rules
Policy Framework and Budget Procedure Rules
Overview & Scrutiny Procedure Rules
Financial Procedure Rules :-
Section 1 – Financial Management
Section 2 – Financial Planning
Section 3 – Financial Systems and Procedures
Section 4 – Risk Management and Control of Resources
Section 5 – External Arrangements
Contract Procedure Rules
Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols

Members’ Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct for Members and Officers dealing with Planning Matters
Officers’ Code of Conduct
Protocol on Councillor/Officer Relations
Task Group Protocol
Standard Form of Report/Briefing Paper
Budget Setting, Monitoring and Control Protocol
Monitoring Officer Protocol

Minutes Procedure

Part 6 - Members' Allowances Scheme