Constitution

As required by the Local Government Act 2000, our constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made, and the rules and procedures followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

The Council continually revises the constitution to reflect new governance arrangements, organisational structure and service responsibilities for Cheshire West and Chester. The current version includes updates and revisions as of 14 January 2013.

The constitution is available to view here:
Cheshire West and Chester Council Constitution  (PDF 3.73MB)

Alternatively you may view the document on a section-by-section basis:

• Foreword
• Defined Terms

Part A - Your Council

• A1 - An Overview of Cheshire West and Chester  (PDF, 125KB)
  
• A2 - Core Objective and Principles of Decision Making  (PDF, 136KB) 
• A3 - Citizens Rights  (PDF, 140KB) 

• Part B - The Council
  
  
• B1 - Council  (PDF, 120KB) 
• B2 - Committees  (PDF, 147KB) 
• B3 - Role of Councillors  (PDF, 128KB) 
• B4 - Council Procedure Rules (PDF, 188KB)
• B5 - Committee Procedure Rules (PDF, 194KB) 

Part C - The Executive

• C1 - The Executive  (PDF, 121KB) 
• C2 - Role of Executive Members  (PDF, 133KB) 
• C3 - Executive Procedure Rules  (PDF, 177KB) 

Part D - Area and Joint Working Arrangements

• D1 - Joint Working Arrangements  (PDF, 113KB) 
• D2 - Area Working Arrangements  (PDF, 117KB) 

Part E - Scrutiny

• E1 - The Scrutiny Function  (PDF, 122KB) 
• E2 - The Role of Scrutiny Members (PDF, 106KB) 
• E3 - Scrutiny Procedure Rules  (PDF,  215KB) 

Part F - Officers

• F1 - Officers  (PDF, 123KB) 
• F2 - Powers of Officers  (PDF, 114KB) 
• F3 - Officer Employment Procedure Rules  (PDF, 133KB) 

Part G - Appendices

• G1A - Member Code of Conduct  (PDF, 154KB) 
• G1B - Member Planning Protocol  (PDF,  149KB) 
• G2 - Officer Code of Conduct  (PDF, 157KB) 
• G3 - Member/Officer Relations Protocol  (PDF, 140KB) 

G4 - Finance and Contract Procedure Rules

• Introduction  (PDF, 442KB) 
• Financial Management  (PDF, 156KB) 
• Financial Planning  (PDF, 150KB) 
• Risk Management and Control of Resources  (PDF, 162KB) 
• Financial Systems and Procedures  (PDF, 142KB) 
• Contract Procedure Rules  (PDF, 268KB) 
• External Arrangements  (PDF, 140KB) 
• Glossary  (PDF, 117KB) 

If you require further information please contact:

Post: Democratic Services, Cheshire West and Chester, 5th Floor, HQ Building, 58 Nicholas Street, Chester, CH1 2NP

Telephone: 01244 975 970