Borough council's constitution

About the 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.

The Constitution is divided as follows:

PDF document Full Constitution(PDF) [6 Mb]

PDF document Constitution Content index(PDF) [130 kb]

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

PDF document Part 1 - Summary and Explanation(PDF) [221 kb]

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

PDF document 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.  
3.5
3.7
3.9
3.21
3.21
3.24
3.29
Responsibility for Council Functions
Responsibility for Local Choice Functions
Responsibility for Council Functions - Committees
Responsibility for Executive Functions
The Cabinet
Cabinet Committees
Leader and Cabinet Member Responsibilities

Section 3 - Scheme of Delegation to Officers

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

PDF document 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.  
4.3
4.29
4.51
4.61
4.67
4.71
4.83
4.97
4.101
4.107
4.111
4.117
4.121
4.131
4.139
4.151
Virtual Meeting Procedure Rules
Council Procedure Rules
Committee Procedure Rules
Cabinet Procedure Rules
Public Participation at Meetings
Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
Access to information Procedure Rules
Members’ Rights of Access to Information Procedure Rules
Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
Urgency Procedure Rules
Officer Employment Procedure Rules
Petitions Scheme
Disposal Procedure for Land and Property
Standing Orders – Disposal of Land
Financial Regulations
Contract Standing Orders

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

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

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

PDF document Part 5 - Codes and Protocols(PDF) [846 kb]

Part 6 - Explains the different allowances to which councillors are entitled

PDF document Part 6 - Members Allowances Scheme(PDF) [184 kb]

Part 7 - This outlines the Senior Management Structure of the Council

PDF document Part 7 - Senior Management Structure(PDF) [532 kb]

Part 8 – Is a glossary of key terms

PDF document Part 8 - Glossary(PDF) [141 kb]

Financial procedures

PDF document Financial Procedures(PDF) [507 kb]

Virtual meetings procedure rules

PDF document Virtual meetings procedure rules(PDF) [1024 kb]

Contact us

  • Contact us online
  • 01256 844844
  • Civic Offices
    London Road
    Basingstoke
    RG21 4AH
  • Opening hours
    Monday to Friday
    8.30am to 4.30pm