Constitution
Our Constitution has been produced in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000 (as amended) .
The Constitution was first adopted by the Council on 19th April 2021 and sets out how the Council works, how decisions are made and the procedures that are followed to ensure decision making is efficient, transparent and the Council is accountable to local people. Some procedures are required by law others are a matter of choice for the Council. The Constitution has been updated following amendments approved by Full Council on 25th May 2023.
The Council will exercise its powers and duties in accordance with the law and the Constitution.
The Constitution provides a framework which:
- provides clear leadership to the Community in partnership with the public, businesses and other organisations
- supports the active involvement of the public in the process of decision making
- helps Councillors represent their constituents more effectively
- create a powerful and effective means of holding decision makers to account
- ensures that no one will review or scrutinise a decision which they were directly involved
- ensure that those responsible for decision making are clearly identifiable to local people and that they explain the reasons for decisions
- provides a means of improving the delivery of services to the community
The Constitution is divided into four Chapters, which set out the basic rules governing the Council's business.
Chapter 1 - The Articles of the Constitution
The Articles explain the rights of the public and how the key parts of the Council operate and explains key roles and their responsibilities.
Chapter 2 - The Procedure Rules
This chapter contains the Council's Standing Orders and Procedure Rules. These govern how the Council will conduct its business, and provides the framework through which meetings will be conducted.
Chapter 3 - The Codes and Schemes
This chapter contains the Member Code of Conduct, together with the Member Allowance Scheme and the Member/Officer Relationship Protocol.
Chapter 4 - Responsibility for Functions
This chapter sets out the key delegated powers to each element of the Council's decision making structure.
Advice and guidance on the Constitution can be obtained from the Monitoring Officer and the Governance and Member Team by emailing governance@braintree.gov.uk
Updated: 5th June 2023
