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:
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) [221 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. | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
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 |
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 |
Part 5 - Codes and Protocols(PDF) [846 kb]
Part 6 - Explains the different allowances to which councillors are entitled
Part 6 - Members Allowances Scheme(PDF) [184 kb]
Part 7 - This outlines the Senior Management Structure of the Council
Part 7 - Senior Management Structure(PDF) [532 kb]
Part 8 – Is a glossary of key terms
Part 8 - Glossary(PDF) [141 kb]
Financial procedures
Financial Procedures(PDF) [507 kb]