Constitution

The South Bedfordshire District Council has agreed a new 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.

You can view or download the articles, rules and protocols in Adobe PDF format by clicking on the links below. For information on access to PDF files for people with a visual impairment visit http://access.adobe.com

Constitution Front Page and Contents (9.14 kb)

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation (93.2 kb)

Part 2 - Article 1: The Constitution (65.1 kb)

Part 2 - Article 2: Members of the Council (72.7 kb)

Part 2 - Article 3: Citizens and the Council (75.1 kb)

Part 2 - Article 4: The Full Council (95.9 kb)

Part 2 - Article 5: Chairing the Council (53.1 kb)

Part 2 - Article 6: Overview and Scrutiny Committees (14.2 kb)

Part 2 - Article 7: The Executive (155 kb)

Part 2 - Article 8: Planning Committee and Licensing Committee (114 kb)

Part 2 - Article 9: Audit Committee and Standards Committee (38.2 kb)

Part 2 - Article 10: Area Committees and Forums (122 kb)

Part 2 - Article 11: Joint Arrangements (167 kb)

Part 2 - Article 12: Officers (16.7 kb)

Part 2 - Article 13: Decision Making (79.2 kb)

Part 2 - Article 14: Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters (56.9 kb)

Part 2 - Article 15: Review and Revision of the Constitution (65.1 kb)

Part 2 - Article 16: Suspension, Interpretation and Publications of the Constitution (55.8 kb)

Schedule 1 - Description of Executive Arrangements (57.3 kb)

Part 3 - Responsbility for Functions (84.8 kb)

Part 3 - Responsbility for Functions: Delegation of Powers to Officers (166 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Contents (47.9 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Council (303 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Access to Information (191 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Budget and Policy Framework (124 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Executive (110 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Overview and Scrutiny (122 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Financial Regulations (163 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Procurement (552 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Officer Employment (87.3 kb)

Part 4 - Rules for Procedure: Planning Committee (186 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Contents (5.12 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: 10 General Principles of Public Life (71 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Members Code of Conduct (149 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Code of Conduct Planning and Related Matters (77.7kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Standards Board and Lcoal Guidance on Interests, Gifts and Hospitality (58.9 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Member/Officer Relations (113 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Gifts and Hospitality (120 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Employees' Code of Conduct (118 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Use of Computer Equipment supplied by the Council (85 kb)

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols: Local Code of Corporate Governance (52.9 kb)

Part 6 - Members' Allowance Scheme and Members' Travel and Subsistence Allowances (52.1 kb)

Part 7 - Management Structure (49.2 kb)