The above link takes you to the current Constitution as agreed by Council.

This Constitution 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 determine. 

The Constitution is divided into four parts:

Part A

Introduction and explanations as well as top-level decision-making information such as the Budget and Policy Framework and Key Decision thresholds, and the list of Council Committees. This section also sets out the Council structure and senior officers.

Part B

This includes most high-level information in areas such as Corporate Delegations, Council meeting procedures (including the Petition Scheme), Executive and Scrutiny arrangements and Access to Information.

Part C

This section contains Codes and Protocols such as the Member Code of Conduct (including information about Registers of Interest and receipt of gifts and hospitality), Financial Regulations, Planning and Licensing Codes, and the Member Allowances Scheme.

Part D

This section contains supplementary information to the main constitution including Corporate Financial Delegations, Directorate Schemes of Delegation, Meeting Procedures, the Filming Protocol and similar.

The Constitution is periodically updated to ensure that it incorporates current legislation and reflects the Councils local choice functions and any other necessary changes.