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The Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose. Please see below for a summary or full version of the constitution.

Last update: Issue 19 - some text changes made between April and September 2009

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Part 1 - Summary and Explanation

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation (79.02 Kb)
The Council has agreed its Constitution which 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.

Part 2 - Articles

Part 2 - Articles (199.61 Kb)
The Constitution is divided into 17 Articles which set out the basic rules governing the Council's business. More detailed procedures and codes of practice are provided in Parts 4 and 5 of the Constitution. Article 9 Standards Committee updated Aug 09.

Part 3A - Executive - responsibility for functions

Part 3A - Executive - responsibility for functions (90.07 Kb)
Details delegation to the Executive for the discharge of any of its functions

Part 3B - Scrutiny and Overview Committee

Part 3B - Scrutiny and Overview Committee (64.43 Kb)
Details the membership, functions and areas of responsibility of Scrutiny and Overview Committees

Part 3C - Scheme of delegation to Committees

Part 3C - Scheme of delegation to Committees (74.34 Kb)
Details the membership and matters delegated to Committees. Section 2.6 Standards Committee updated August 2009

Part 3D - Arrangements for the discharge of functions

Part 3D - Arrangements for the discharge of functions (41.75 Kb)
This Council does not have statutory area committees

Part 3E - Joint Arrangements

Part 3E - Joint Arrangements (94.59 Kb)
Details joint arrangements

Part 3F - Scheme of Delegation to officers

Part 3F - Scheme of Delegation to officers (374.17 Kb)
This section details the officer authority, areas of responsibility and relevant legislation. In pdf format.

Part 4A - Rules of Procedure

Part 4A - Rules of Procedure (154.24 Kb)
Details the rules governing the meetings of the Council - chairman, quorum, voting, minutes, public speaking, recording of meetings etc

Part 4B - Executive procedure rules

Part 4B - Executive procedure rules (81.58 Kb)
Details the arrangements for the discharge of executive functions.

Part 4C - Scrutiny and Overview procedure rules

Part 4C - Scrutiny and Overview procedure rules (106.47 Kb)
This section outlines the activities of the Committee, membership and work programme

Part 4D - Budget and Policy Framework procedure rules

Part 4D - Budget and Policy Framework procedure rules (76.81 Kb)
This section details the process for the adoption of the budget and policy framework

Part 4E - Access to Information procedure rules

Part 4E - Access to Information procedure rules (119.39 Kb)
Details the arrangements for advertising meetings and making agendas and reports available.

Part 4F - Financial Regulations

Part 4F - Financial Regulations (173.30 Kb)
Details the financial regulations- budget process, virement, authorisation of expenditure, accounts, orders, travelling subsistence and other allowances, inventories and borrowing and investments.

Part 4G - Contract Standing Orders

Part 4G - Contract Standing Orders (209.82 Kb)
This section details the procedures for entering into contracts for goods and services including requirements for tenders. Public sector thresholds 1st Jan 2008 - 31st December 2009 updated in Appendix 1.

Part 4H - Officer Employment procedure rules

Part 4H - Officer Employment procedure rules (64.10 Kb)
Details procedures for the recruitment and appointment of Officers

Part 4I - Public Speaking at Meetings

Part 4I - Public Speaking at Meetings (94.06 Kb)
Members of the public may ask questions of the Leader of the Council and any chairman of an ordinary committee at ordinary meetings of the Council. This section gives details of the procedure.

Part 4J - Procedure for receiving and considering petitions

Part 4J - Procedure for receiving and considering petitions (68.26 Kb)
Where possible a petition will be considered in accordance with the complaints procedure. A petition is defined as a representation signed by at least 25 people who are registered electors or are resident or whose main place of work is in the District.

Part 5A - Members' Code of Conduct

Part 5A - Members' Code of Conduct (229.05 Kb)
The revised Code was adopted on 27th June 2007 sets out the minimum standards of conduct that members must observe.

Part 5B - Code of Conduct for Council Employees

Part 5B - Code of Conduct for Council Employees (169.50 Kb)
This Code outlines existing laws, regulations and conditions of service and provides further guidance to assist the Council and its employees in their day to day work.

Part 5C - Monitoring Officer Protocol

Part 5C - Monitoring Officer Protocol (74.44 Kb)
Outlines the responsibilities of the Monitoring Officer.

Part 5D - Procedure for Handling formal complaints

Part 5D - Procedure for Handling formal complaints (74.59 Kb)
This guide includes a system for responding to formal complaints and identifies what is and what is not a complaint.

Part 5E - Protocol and Probity in Planning

Part 5E - Protocol and Probity in Planning (37.72 Kb)
Yet to be issued.

Part 5F - Corporate Governance Statement

Part 5F - Corporate Governance Statement (129.38 Kb)
This statement explains and describes how the Council is organised directly and and controlled.

Part 5G - Protocol on Member/Officer relations

Part 5G - Protocol on Member/Officer relations (136.09 Kb)
To aid interpretation and to supplement the Codes in their relations with one another

Part 6 - Members' Allowance Scheme

Part 6 - Members' Allowance Scheme (100.20 Kb)
Description of the Allowances payable to Members. Appendix 1 updated following review in May 2009.

Part 7 - Management Structure

Part 7 - Management Structure (65.63 Kb)
A copy of the Corporate structure of the Council is shown. Further details will be available soon.

Part 8 - Register of Executive Members

Part 8 - Register of Executive Members (58.71 Kb)
A List of Executive members and responsibilities.