The law requires us to have a Constitution. This is a document that sets out how we operate, how we make decisions and the procedures we follow to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. The law requires some content, while other content is for us to choose.
We adopted a new Constitution on 24 July 2023 and it came into force on 4 September 2023.
We have divided the Constitution into parts and sections. We’ve published each separately to assist you in navigating through the document.
There are paper copies of the Constitution at the Town Hall and in libraries.
The Constitution is a living document and is subject to change from time to time.
Glossary for the Constitution
The glossary provides definitions of the key terms used throughout the Constitution. In addition to this glossary, you can find micro glossaries in Part Five, Sections A and B which contain more terms relevant to those particular sections.
Part 3 – Responsibility for council and executive functions
This part of the Constitution explains who is responsible for the various areas of responsibility (known as executive and non-executive functions) that we have and details how the ability to make decisions can be delegated to Officers.
This section contains the rules we use to govern meetings of our Full Council and also how those rules apply to meetings of the various council committees and sub-committees.
This section contains the rules we use to govern meetings of our cabinet (also known as the executive) and also how those rules apply to meetings of the various executive committees and sub-committees.
This section explains our arrangements for the conduct of overview and scrutiny and the rules which govern meetings of overview and scrutiny panels or commissions. It also provides information on the various areas of responsibility for our overview and scrutiny commissions.
This section explains the rights of the public to access meeting agendas and papers, explains the circumstances in which members of the public might be excluded from council meetings. It also explains how we publicise information relating to key decisions.
This section explains how members of the public can submit a deputation (a request to speak about a specific issue affecting the borough or the council) and the rules governing how they will be considered.
Section F - protocol for recording or live streaming of council meetings
This section sets out our arrangements for recording or live streaming council meetings and the public’s right to film, record and use social media during meetings.
This section explains the rules that the Elected Mayor, Councillors and Co-Optees to the council have agreed to abide by with regards to their conduct.
This section provides guidance on how Councillors who sit on our Planning Sub-Committee must conduct themselves when determining planning applications both in the lead up to and during the meeting. It is supplemental to the Councillor Code of Conduct.
This section provides guidance on how Councillors who sit on our Licensing Sub-Committees must conduct themselves when determining licensing applications both in the lead up to and during the meeting. It is supplemental to the Councillor Code of Conduct.
Section C - protocol for Elected Mayor and Councillor/ Officer relations
This section describes the differing roles and responsibilities of the Elected Mayor and Councillors and Officers, how the working relationship operates and the expectations that each may have of each other.
Section E - protocol on remote attendance at council meetings
This section describes the arrangements which have been put in place to govern how people can access and participate in council meetings remotely as well as the limitations involved given current legislation.
This appendix lists those functions and responsibilities which the Council can decide should be exercisable either by the Elected Mayor and cabinet or Full Council (or a committee of Full Council) and records the outcome of those decisions.