Constitution

Our Constitution runs to more than 200 pages.  It covers information on:

• how the council operates and how decisions are made
• the responsibilities of committees, their chairmen, the Chairman of the Council, the Council Leader and key council employees; and
• the Procedural Rules and Codes of Conduct which have to be followed by councillors and council employees.

The Constitution can be summarised as follows:

Contents

Part 1 contains a short explanation as to how the Local Government Act 2000 has changed the decision-making processes of local authorities to make them more efficient, transparent and accountable, and how Bridgnorth District Council has responded to the requirements.

Part 2 sets out

• the powers and duties of the council;
• a ward by ward breakdown of representation by councillors;
• the rights and responsibilities of the citizens of Bridgnorth;
• the functions of the council and its committees, and how meetings are conducted;
• an explanation of the key areas of responsibility of chief officers;
• the decision-making processes; and
• how the council conducts its financial, legal and contractual affairs.

Part 3 details

• the responsibilities of the various committees;
• the responsibilities of both the Chairman and the Leader of the Council, and the chairmen of committees; and
• the functions that have been delegated to officers.

Part 4 covers

• the rules and procedures governing the running of meetings;
• access to information by councillors and members of the public;
• what is meant by the terms 'confidential' and 'exempt', where they are referred to in the Constitution; and
• the rules of procedure relating to overview and scrutiny, financial requirements, contractual requirements and employment.

Part 5 sets out

• the Codes of Conduct for councillors and council employees;
• a guide as to how councillors and council employees should relate to each other;
• a guide on working with the media for both councillors and council employees; and
• a Planning Protocol which is intended to help the council discharge its planning function in a way that promotes good practice, high standards of conduct, and safeguards the openness and fairness of the system.

Part 6 sets out the Allowances Scheme for councillors.

Part 7 sets out details of the officer management structure.

A copy of the Constitution can be dowloaded by clicking here (1MB) or the separate parts can be downloaded by clicking on the part name above.

The constitution can also be obtained by contacting the council on Bridgnorth (01746) 713106, or its e-mail address democraticservices@bridgnorth-dc.gov.uk or by calling in person at the council offices.

A reasonable administration charge will be made for this payable in advance or at the time of collection.