Constitution

The Council has a 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. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

The Constitution is divided into 16 articles 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.

Each part of the Constitution is available to you for download in PDF format.

Part 1 - Summary and explanation

• Summary and explanation

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

• Article 1 - 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 - Overview and Scrutiny
• Article 6a - Best Value
• Article 7 - The Executive
• Article 8 - Regulatory and other Committees
• Article 9 - The Standards Committee
• Article 10 - Area Committees
• 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
• Schedule 2 - Members of the Council and Membership of the Executive, Committees, etc.

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions

• Responsibility for Functions
• Appendix A - Delegations to Officers
• Appendix B - Executive Portfolio Areas
• Appendix C - Delegations to Members
• Appendix D - The Local Authorities (Functions & Responsibilities) (England) Regulations 2000
• Appendix E - The Local Authorities (Functions & Responsibilities) (England)(Amendment) Regulations 2001
• Appendix F – The Local Authorities(Functions & Responsibilities) (England)(Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2004
• Appendix G – The Local Authorities(Functions & Responsibilities) (England)(Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2004

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure

• Council, Committee & General Standing Orders
• Access to Information Procedure Rules
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
• Executive Procedure Rules
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
• Financial Regulations
• Contracts Standing Orders
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols

• Codes and Protocols
  • Members Code of Conduct
  • Planning & Development Committee Members Code of Conduct
  • Protocol on Member/Officer relations

Part 6 - Members Allowances Scheme

• Members Allowance Scheme

Part 7

• Management Structure - currently being updated

The Constitution is also available for purchase in hard copy.  Please email committees@stevenage.gov.uk for information.