Borough Council's Constitution

The council has agreed a constitution which sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures we follow to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the council to choose.

The Constitution is divided into 14 articles (or sections) which set out the basic rules governing the council's business.

More detailed procedures and codes of practice are provided in separate rules and protocols at the end of the document.

Full version

The Full Constitution document is in the process of being updated.

The Constitution is divided as follows:

Constitution Content index(PDF) [130 kb]

Part 1 - An overview of our constitution and broadly explains how we operate and decisions are made

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation(PDF) [304 kb]

Part 2 - There are 14 articles set out in our constitution, which are the basic rules of how we do business

Part 2 - Articles(PDF) [310 kb]

Part 3 - This part of the constitution explains how we share different responsibilities between the committees and staff of our organisation

Section 2 - Scheme of Delegation

Page No.	Title
3.5	Responsibility for Council Functions
3.7	Responsibility for Local Choice Functions
3.9	Responsibility for Council Functions - Committees
3.21	Responsibility for Executive Functions
3.21	The Cabinet
3.24	Cabinet Committees
3.29	Leader and Cabinet Member Responsibilities

Section 3 - Scheme of Delegation to Officers

Page No.	Title
3.33	Part 1 – The overall Scheme of Delegation to Officers
3.35	Part 2 - Delegation Structure
3.38	Part 3 – Specific Delegations to Officers
3.61	Part 4 - Proper Officer Appointments

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions(PDF) [697 kb]

Part 4 - This part of the constitution sets out the rules and procedures that govern how we operate

Page No.	Title
4.3	Virtual Meeting Procedure Rules
4.29	Council Procedure Rules
4.51	Committee Procedure Rules
4.61	Cabinet Procedure Rules
4.67	Public Participation at Meetings
4.71	Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
4.83	Access to information Procedure Rules
4.97	Members’ Rights of Access to Information Procedure Rules
4.101	Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
4.107	Urgency Procedure Rules
4.111	Officer Employment Procedure Rules
4.117	Petitions Scheme
4.121	Disposal Procedure for Land and Property
4.131	Standing Orders – Disposal of Land
4.139	Financial Regulations
4.151	Contract Standing Orders

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure(PDF) [4 Mb]

Part 5 - Contains council's codes and protocols for members and officers

Page No.	Title
5.3	Code of Conduct for Councillors
5.25	Arrangements for dealing with complaints against councillors
5.41	Probity in Planning - Code of Practice for Councillors and Officers
5.53	Working together for local people: Protocol for Councillor and Officer Relations
5.63	Chief Finance Officer (Section 151 Officer) Protocol
5.71	Chief Internal Auditor Protocol
5.77	Audit Arrangements
5.79	Treasury Management
5.81	Overview and Scrutiny and Cabinet Protocol