Our constitution, which governs how the council works, is a lengthy document which is amended from time to time. We have split it up into manageable sections.
- Part 1 - Summary and Explanation (PDF, 124KB)
- Part 2 - District Articles (PDF, 467KB)
- Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions
- Annexe 1 Powers and Duties of Committees: Introduction (PDF, 150KB)
- Strategy and Resources Committee (PDF, 83.2KB)
- Policy Development Committee (PDF, 80.1KB)
- Planning Committee (PDF, 82.5KB)
- Licensing and Community Safety Committee (PDF, 83.3KB)
- Governance Committee (PDF, 185KB)
- Harbour Board (PDF, 181KB)
- Joint Crematorium Committee (PDF, 79.8KB)
- Joint Building Control Committee (PDF, 79.4KB)
- Appointments Committee (PDF, 80.9KB)
- Joint Planning Policy Committee (PDF, 224KB)
- Annexe 2 Officer Delegations (PDF, 464KB) (Updated Jan 2025)
- Annexe 3 Delegations to Councillors and Role of Lead Members (PDF, 183KB)
- Annexe 4 Joint Arrangements (PDF, 453KB)
- Committee Structure Diagram (PDF, 375KB)
- Annexe 1 Powers and Duties of Committees: Introduction (PDF, 150KB)
- Part 4 - Rules of Procedure
- Council Procedure Rules (PDF, 502KB)
- Access to Information Procedure Rules (PDF, 423KB)
- Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules (PDF, 260KB)
- Financial Procedure Rules (PDF, 573KB)
- Schedule 1 Retention of Accounting Records (PDF, 307KB)
- Officer Procedure Rules (PDF, 300KB)
- Contract Procedure Rules (PDF, 184KB)
- Part 5 - Codes and Protocols:
- Members Code of Conduct (PDF, 794KB)
- Employees Code of Conduct, and Protocols (PDF, 754KB)
- Protocols on Officer / Councillor Relations (PDF, 955KB)
- Register of Interests Form (PDF, 309KB)
- Planning Code of Conduct (PDF, 233KB)
- Part 6 - Members Allowance Scheme 2023-24 to 2025-26 (PDF, 251KB) (Updated Oct 2024)
- Part 7
- Members Role Descriptions (PDF, 212KB)
- Lead Member Protocol (PDF, 112KB)