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Our Constitution

Our Constitution

Democratic Services   01795 417360   democraticservices@swale.gov.uk  
Last updated on 10 February 2010   All priorities

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.

  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.

 
If you would like hard copies or alternative versions of any document (i.e. large print, audio, different language) we will do our best to accommodate your request. Please contact Swale Borough Council at Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne, Kent, ME10 3HT or telephone the Customer Service Centre on 01795 417850.
 
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