Overview

The 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 Constitution is divided into 'Parts' which in turn are subdivided into 'Sections', which set out the basic rules governing the Council's business.

Please note that the Constitution is a very large document. Therefore the document has been broken down into smaller sections. This enables quicker downloading (particularly for people using dial-up modems) and also means that updates to the document can be managed more easily.

You can view the document sections by clicking on the highlighted text headings below, the same sections are available to download to the right of this page and are presented in the correct order. Please note all files open up in a new browser window.

The Constitution

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution.

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions

This sets out who is responsible for making different decisions and includes terms of reference of the Council, Executive and Committees/Panels, as well as officer delegations. Each section of Part 3 can be viewed separately.

Section 1 - Responsibility for Local Choice Functions

Section 2 - Responsibility for Council functions (including terms of reference for Council and its Committees)

Section 3 - Responsibility for Executive functions (including terms of reference for the Executive, individual Executive Members and Panels)

Section 4 - Joint Arrangements with other Local Authorities

Section 5 - Advisory Groups to the Executive

Section 6 - List of non executive functions

Section 7 - Executive portfolios

Section 8 - Membership of the Executive/Committees/Panels/Forums

Section 9 - Appointments to Outside Bodies/Organisations and School Governing Bodies

Section 10 - Scheme of Officer Delegations

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure

This part is split into various sections, which set out the procedure rules that the Council, Executive, Overview and Scrutiny and other Committees must follow. It also contains the Financial and Contract Standing Orders. Each section of Part 4 can be viewed separately.

Index - Rules of Procedure

Section 1 - Council Procedure Rules

Section 2 - Access to Information Procedure Rules

Section 3 - Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules

Section 4 - Executive Procedure Rules

Section 5 - Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules

Section 6 - Standards Committee

Section 6.i - Appendix 3 for Standards Committee - Hearing Procedure Rules

Section 7 - Local Engagement Forums Procedure Rules

Section 8 - Joint Transportation Board Procedure Rules

Section 9 - Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Section 10 - Public Participation Procedure Rules

Section 11 - Financial Standing Orders and Regulations

Section 12 - Contract Standing Orders (CSO's)

Section 13 - Member Training - Licensing, Gambling Act and Planning

Part 5 - Member and Officer Code of Conduct.

This sets out the behaviour expected of Councillors under the Code of Conduct. The Officer code of conduct is also included. Each section of Part 5 can be viewed separately.

Index - Code of Conduct

Section 1 - (5.1) Members Code of Conduct

Section 2 - Annex A - Guidance for Members (Standards Board)

Section 3 - Annex B - Protocol for Member and Officer Relations

Section 4 - Annex C - Protocol for Member Complaint against and Officer

Section 5 - (5.2) Officers' Code of Conduct

Part 6  - Members' Allowances Scheme

This sets out the allowances that Councillors can claim.

Part 7 - Management Structure

This sets out the Management Structure of the Council.