Constitution of the Council

The Constitution was approved by the County Council in June 2001. It sets out the political decision making arrangements operated by the Council, and explains the responsibilities of the Council, our members and staff.

Find out more with our summary about how East Sussex County Council works.

Contents

Decision Making Arrangements

Part 1 – Summary and Explanation

Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution

• Article 1 – The Constitution
• Article 2 – Members of the Council
• Article 3 – Citizens and the Council
• Article 4 – The Full Council
• Article 5 – Chairing the Council
• Article 6 – Overview and Scrutiny Committees
• Article 7 – The Cabinet
• Article 8 – Regulatory and other committees
• Article 9 – The Standards Committee
• Article 10 – Area Committees and Forums
• Article 11 – Joint Arrangements
• Article 12 – Officers
• Article 13 – Decision Making
• Article 14 – Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters
• Article 15 – Review and Revision of the Constitution
• Article 16 – Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution
• Schedule 1 – Description of Executive Arrangements

Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions

• Table 1 – Cabinet Responsibilities and Functions
• Table 2 – Responsibility for Local Choice Functions
• Table 3 – Responsibility for Cabinet Functions Exercised by Individual Cabinet Members
• Table 4 – Regulatory Committee Responsibilities and Functions
• Table 5 – Functions of Other Committees and Panels
• Table 6 – Scheme of Delegations to Officers
• Table 7 List of Proper Officers

Part 4 – Rules of Procedure

1. Council Procedure Rules
2. Access to Information Procedure Rules
3. Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
4. Cabinet Procedure Rules
5. Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
6. Public Speaking at Meetings of the Planning Committee
7. Financial Procedure Rules
8. Procurement Standing Orders
9. Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Part 5 – Codes and Protocols

1. Members’ Code of Conduct
2. Code of Conduct and Conflict of Interest Policy for Employees
3. Code on Member/Employee Relationships
4. Protocol on Decision Making
5. Advice to Members Serving on Outside Bodies

Part 6 – Members’ Allowances Scheme

Whole Constitution

The whole constitution can also be downloaded.