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Constitution

The constitution is a document we produce to explain how we work to deliver your services.

It explains how the decision making process is performed. It also sets out the procedures to be followed to make sure we are efficient, transparent and accountable.

We are legally required to perform some tasks while others are a matter for us to choose.

The Constitution is divided into 7 parts:

Part 1: Index

Part 2: Articles of the constitution

Article1: The constitution

Article 2: Members of the Council

Article 3: Citizens and the Council

Article 4: The Full Council

Article 5: Chairing the Council

Article 6: Policy and scrutiny panels

Article 7: The Executive

Article 8: Regulatory and other committees

Article 9: The standards committee

Article 10: Area committees and forums

Article 11: Joint arrangements

Article 12: Officers

Article 13: Decision making

Article 14: Finance, contracts and legal matters

Article 15: Review and revision of the constitution

Article 16: Suspension, interpretation and publication of the constitution

Schedule 1: Description of executive arrangements

Part3: Responsibility for functions

Responsibility for Council functions

Planning and regulatory committee

Standards committee

Employment committee

Licensing committee

Audit committee

Executive member portfolio

General conditions on all delegated powers

General powers of all directors (including the chief executive officer)

The chief executive officer

Director of finance and resources

Solicitor to the Council

Director of children and young people's services

Director of development and environment

Director of adult social services and housing

The Local Authorities (Functions and Responsibilities)(England) Regulations 2000 as amended

Part 4: Rules of procedure

Council procedure rules (standing orders)

Access to information procedure rules

Financial regulations - accountability and responsibility framework 2003

Executive procedure rules

Policy and scrutiny panel procedure rules

Financial procedure rules

Contracts procedure rules

Officer employment procedure rules

Part 5: Codes and Protocols

Members' code of conduct

Officers' code of conduct

Protocol on member/officer relations

Part 6: Members' allowance scheme

Introduction

Interpretation

The basic allowance

Special responsibility allowances

Renunciation of entitlement

Member of another authority

Part year entitlements

Suspension of a member

Third party payments

Travelling and subsistence

Payment of allowances

Co-opted members

Local Government pension scheme

Tax and national insurance

Update of allowances and review of the scheme

Schedule 1 - basic allowance

Schedule 2 - special responsibility allowances

Car user allowance for all employees

Part7: Management structure

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