Council procedures

The Council has agreed a Constitution which sets out how it operates, how decisions are made, and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation

• Summary and explanation (114kb PDF)

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

• Article 1- The Constitution (52kb PDF)
• Article 2 - Members of the Council (70kb PDF)
• Article 3 - Citizens and the Council (76kb PDF)
• Article 4 - The Full Council (91kb PDF)
• Article 5 - Chairing the Council (79kb PDF)
• Article 6 - Overview and Scrutiny Committees (126kb PDF)
• Article 7 - The Executive (91kb PDF)
• Article 8 - Regulatory and other Committees (48kb PDF)
• Article 9 - The Standards Committee (64kb PDF)
• Article 10 - Area Committees and Forums (52kb PDF)
• Article 11 - Joint Arrangements (85kb PDF)
• Article 12 - Officers (82kb PDF)
• Article 13 - Decision Making (84kb PDF)
• Article 14 - Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters (63kb PDF)
• Article 15 - Review and Revision of the Constitution (51kb PDF)
• Article 16 - Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution (68kb PDF)

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions

Description of Executive Arrangements (45kb PDF)

1. Local Choice Functions, Council Functions and Executive Functions (165kb PDF)
2. Scheme of Delegation (289kb PDF)

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure

• Council Procedure Rules (174kb PDF)
• Executive Procedure Rules (104kb PDF)
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (94kb PDF)
• Access to Information Procedure Rules (116kb PDF)
• Budget or Policy Framework Procedure Rules (89kb PDF)
• Code of Financial Practice (185kb PDF)
• Code of Procurement Practice (215kb PDF)
• Procurement Strategy (306kb PDF)
• Standard Terms & Conditions of Contract for the Purchase of Services (209kb PDF)
• Standard Terms & Conditions of Contract for the Purchase of Goods (191kb PDF)
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules (102kb PDF)
• Public Speaking at Council Meetings (117kb PDF)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols

• Members’ Code of Conduct (136kb PDF)
• Employee Code of Conduct (103kb PDF)
• Member/Officer Protocol (194kb PDF)

Part 6 - Members’ Allowances Scheme

• Members' Allowances Scheme (138kb PDF)

Part 7 - Management & Portfolio Structure

• Management & Portfolio Structure (75kb PDF)

Annex

• Planning Committee Procedure (200kb PDF)
• Petitions Scheme (144kb, PDF)

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