The Constitution

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation

This part of the Constitution provides a general overview of the Council.

Summary and Explanation

Part 2 - Articles

The Articles provide details on how the Council functions and contain principles, commitments and basic rules, on how the Council conducts its business.

Articles

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions

Under Executive arrangements, all functions are the responsibility of the Cabinet unless the law provides otherwise. This part of the Constitution details which part of the Council can exercise various functions. In addition, it provides information on meetings, delegations to Committees, Cabinet Members and Officers. There is also a list of officers which are designed as the Proper Officer in the Procedure Rules contained in Part 4.

• Responsibility for Functions
• Scheme of Delegation to Regulatory Committees
• Scheme of Delegation to Cabinet
• Scheme of Delegation to Officers
• Designation of Proper Officers
• Record of Decisions Form (Lilac Form)

Part 4 - Procedure Rules

This part of the Constitution contains the rules that the Council is required to have in place both by law and those which contribute to the corporate governance of the Council which govern how the various meetings of the Council will be conducted. In addition, it contains other rules relating to the budget and policy framework, financial procedures, the letting of contracts and the employment of officers.

• Council Procedure Rules
• Meeting Procedure Rules
• Remote Meetings Rules
• Cabinet Procedure Rules
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
• Planning Committee Procedure Rules
• Licensing Committee Procedure Rules
• Governance and Audit Committee Procedure Rules
• Access to Information Procedure Rules
• Budget and Policy Framework
• Financial Regulations
• Contracts Procedure Rules
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules 
• Petition Procedure Rules

Part 5 - The Ethical Framework

This part of the Constitution comprises various Codes and Protocols relating to standards of conduct and good practice which contribute to corporate governance of the Council.

• Members' Code of Conduct
• Planning Procedure Code of Practice
• Member/Officer Protocol
• Media Protocol
• Monitoring Officer Protocol
• Chief Finance Officer Protocol
• Resources Protocol
• Gifts and Hospitality
• Guide for Members and Co-opted Members on Dispensations
• Guidance for Councillors and Officers on Outside Bodies
• Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints

Part 6 - Members' Allowances Scheme

This part of the Constitution comprises the Council's current Members' Allowance Scheme.

Members' Allowances

Part 7 - Management Structure

This part of the Constitution comprises the current officer management structure of the Council.

Management Structure

Part 8 - Local Councils Charters

This part of the Constitution contains the Charters agreed with the Colchester Association of Local Councils to enhance the partnership arrangements between the Council and Parish/Town Councils in the Borough.

Charter by the Borough, Town and Parish Councils

For more information on the Constitution please contact -

  Andrew Weavers
  Strategic Governance Manager and Monitoring Officer
  Phone: 01206 282213
  E-mail: andrew.weavers@colchester.gov.uk