Democratic Services
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Last updated on 10 February 2010
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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 Functions
Section 2 - List of Non Executive functions
Section 3 - Executive Portfolios
Section 4 - Membership of Executive, Panels, Committees, Forums & Working Groups
Section 5 - Approved Duties and representatives on outside bodies
Section 6 - 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.
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.
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.