The Constitution of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 27 April 2026 to discuss the proposed adoption of the council's constitution. The constitution, a comprehensive document outlining the council's operational framework, decision-making processes, and public participation rights, was presented for review.

North Northamptonshire Constitution

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the council's constitution, a document that details how North Northamptonshire Council operates, how its decisions are made, and the procedures that will be followed. This constitution is a requirement under the Local Government Act 2000, ensuring accountability, transparency, and that decisions are made in the public interest. It governs the actions of elected councillors, co-opted members, officers, contractors, and third parties. The document is intended to be written in plain English for accessibility, and suggestions for improvement can be made to the Monitoring Officer. Changes to the constitution can only be made by the full council in a public session, unless they are minor administrative changes.

The constitution is divided into nine parts:

• Part One: Summary and Explanation - Outlines what the Council is and how it operates.
• Part Two: Public Participation and Rights - Details how the public can get involved in decision-making and their rights.
• Part Three: Council - Sets out the Council's Rules of Procedure, including the functions of the full council and rules on the Budget and Policy Framework.
• Part Four: Committees - Details the Terms of Reference for non-executive committees, establishing their powers, remit, and meeting procedures.
• Part Five: Executive - Sets out the rules relating to the Executive, the council's main decision-making body.
• Part Six: Scrutiny - Outlines the rules for Scrutiny Committees, which review and challenge the work of the Executive.
• Part Seven: Joint Arrangements - Details arrangements for services jointly delivered with West Northamptonshire Council.
• Part Eight: Councillors - Covers matters relating to standards and allowances for elected members.
• Part Nine: Officers - Sets out the financial, contractual, and employment rules applicable to officers.

The constitution also includes a glossary of key terms used throughout the document.

Decision Making

The reports also covered the principles of decision-making within the council, which generally involve elected members making strategic policy decisions and officers making operational decisions within those policies. Key principles include proportionality, consultation, respect for human rights, best value, transparency, clarity of objectives, consideration of alternatives, and providing reasons for decisions. The document outlines the different types of decision-makers, including the Full Council, the Executive, Scrutiny Committees, and Officers, and details the process for making Key Decisions, defined as executive decisions likely to result in significant expenditure or savings (above £500,000) or have a significant effect on communities across two or more wards.

The rules also detail procedures for finance, contracts, and the authentication of legal documents, including the affixing of the Council's Common Seal. The council's powers to operate a museum service, as outlined in the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 and the Local Government Act 1972, were also noted.

Public Participation and Rights

Part Two of the constitution details how the public can get involved in the council's work. This includes contacting ward councillors, engaging with the Executive through its Forward Plan, providing suggestions to Scrutiny Committees, attending local meetings, and understanding the roles of Parish and Town Councils. The rules for attending and speaking at Council, Executive, and Scrutiny Committee meetings were outlined, including the procedures for submitting statements and questions. Specific procedures for speaking at Planning and Licensing Committee meetings were also detailed, along with the process for submitting petitions and participating in budget and policy development. Citizens' rights regarding accounts and audits, public consultation principles (Gunning Principles), social media engagement, complaints procedures, requests for information, and the publication scheme were also covered.

Role of the Council

Part 3.1 of the constitution outlines the role of the Full Council, comprising all 68 elected members. The Council is responsible for non-executive functions, including adopting and amending the constitution, approving the Budget and Policy Framework, setting the Council Tax base, and appointing non-executive committees. It also allocates non-executive functions to specific committees for objective decision-making in areas such as planning and licensing. Any functions not reserved to the Council or designated to committees are determined by the Executive. The Budget and Policy Framework itself comprises various strategies and plans, including the Crime and Disorder Reduction Strategy, the Development Plan, the Council's Corporate Strategy, Housing Strategy, Health and Wellbeing Strategy, and the Climate Change Action Plan.

Meeting Procedure Rules

Part 3.2 details the Meeting Procedure Rules governing proceedings at decision-making meetings of the Council and its committees. This includes rules on the timing and business of Annual, Ordinary, Budget, and Extraordinary Council meetings, as well as the roles of the Chair and Vice-Chair. Quorum requirements, the order of business, guillotine procedures, urgent business, confirmation of minutes, and the process for motions and amendments were outlined. Specific rules for public participation, including statements and questions at Council meetings, were detailed, alongside procedures for councillor questions and notices of motion. The rules of debate, points of order, personal explanations, voting procedures, and the process for rescinding earlier resolutions were also covered. Similar rules were outlined for committee and sub-committee meetings, including provisions for urgent items and the attendance of non-members.

Budget and Policy Framework and Procedure Rules

Part 3.3 outlines the procedures for developing and resolving conflicts within the Budget and Policy Framework. It details how the Executive develops proposals, undertakes consultation, and submits them to the Council. Procedures for conflict resolution regarding plans, strategies, and the revenue budget were specified, including timelines for reconsideration and the process for handling disagreements between the Executive and the Council. Decisions outside the Budget or Policy Framework can only be made by the Council, with specific procedures for urgent decisions. The rules also cover virement, in-year changes to the policy framework, and the call-in procedure for decisions outside the Budget and Policy Framework.

Governance Structure and Committees

Part 4 of the constitution details the council's governance structure, including the roles and terms of reference for various committees:

• Part 4.1: Governance Structure - Provides a diagram illustrating the council's governance model, including the Executive, Scrutiny Committees, and various non-executive committees.
• Part 4.2: Planning Committee - Outlines the membership, substitutions, chairmanship, quorum, and terms of reference for the Planning Committee, which considers planning applications not dealt with by officers under delegated powers.
• Part 4.3: Democracy and Standards Committee - Details the membership, substitutions, chairmanship, quorum, and terms of reference for the Democracy and Standards Committee, which has responsibilities for democratic functions (reviewing the constitution, election functions) and standards (promoting high standards of conduct, determining allegations of misconduct).
• Part 4.4: Audit and Governance Committee - Describes the membership, substitutions, chairmanship, quorum, and terms of reference for the Audit and Governance Committee, which acts as an advisory committee on audit and governance issues, providing assurance on the council's governance, risk management, and control environment.
• Part 4.5: Health and Wellbeing Board - Outlines the membership, substitutions, code of conduct, chairmanship, quorum, voting, meeting frequency, working groups, and terms of reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board, a statutory committee focused on improving health and wellbeing outcomes through integrated commissioning.
• Part 4.6: Employment Committee - Details the membership, substitutions, chairmanship, quorum, and terms of reference for the Employment Committee, which deals with employment matters relating to specified senior officers, including appointments and dismissals.
• Part 4.7: Licensing and Appeals Committee - Outlines the membership, substitutions, chairmanship, quorum, and terms of reference for the Licensing and Appeals Committee, which handles licensing functions under various acts, including the Licensing Act 2003 and the Gambling Act 2005, as well as appeals against council decisions.

Executive Procedure Rules and Access to Information

Part 5 covers the Executive Procedure Rules, defining the role of the Executive in providing strategic leadership and discharging executive functions. It details membership, portfolios, delegations, meeting procedures, quorum, chairmanship, and attendance at meetings. The rules also outline the process for taking decisions, including Key Decisions, and the rights of members to speak. Part 5.2 details the Access to Information Procedure Rules, which govern how the public and councillors can access information related to council meetings and decisions, including agendas, supporting papers, minutes, and background documents, with provisions for excluding the press and public when confidential or exempt information is discussed.

Joint Arrangements

Part 6 outlines the Council's Joint Arrangements with other local authorities. This includes details on the Shared Services Joint Committee with West Northamptonshire Council, the Children's Trust Joint Committee, and the PATROL Adjudication Joint Committee. It also covers representation on Statutory Bodies, such as the Northamptonshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel, and other joint arrangements related to the Children's Trust.

Scrutiny Procedure Rules

Part 7 details the Scrutiny Procedure Rules, outlining the purpose and terms of reference for the Scrutiny Committees and the Scrutiny Management Board. It covers the review of decisions, performance, external bodies, and the call-in procedure for Executive decisions. The rules also detail the composition and responsibilities of the Corporate Scrutiny, Health Scrutiny, Place and Environment Scrutiny, and Children, Young Persons and Education Scrutiny Committees. Provisions for co-optees, substitutions, chairmanship, quorum, meetings, agenda items, reports, panels, minority reports, and the Councillor Call for Action were also included.

Roles of Councillors and Office Holders, Codes of Conduct, and Protocols

Part 8 covers the roles and responsibilities of councillors and office holders.

• Part 8.1: Roles of Councillors and Office Holders - Outlines the general responsibilities and key tasks for all councillors, the Leader of the Council, Executive members, and non-Executive councillors, including the Chair of the Council and Chairs of Scrutiny Committees.
• Part 8.2: Member Code of Conduct - Sets out the general principles and standards of conduct expected of councillors, including respect, avoiding bullying and harassment, impartiality of officers, confidentiality, use of position and resources, and the registration and disclosure of interests, gifts, and hospitality.
• Part 8.3: Member Complaints Procedure - Details the arrangements for handling allegations of breaches of the Member Code of Conduct, including the initial assessment of complaints, local resolution, investigation procedures, and the role of the Standards Hearing Panel.
• Part 8.4: Member Officer Protocol - Provides guidance on effective working relationships between members and officers, outlining mutual expectations, roles, and principles for communication and resolving disputes.
• Part 8.5a: Planning Protocol - Sets out the principles for dealing with planning matters, aiming to ensure transparency, fairness, and impartiality in planning decisions, and outlining the roles and conduct of members and officers involved in the planning process.
• Part 8.5b: Planning Committee Site Visit Protocol - Details the procedures for conducting site visits prior to Planning Committee meetings, emphasizing the gathering of facts and clarification of issues.
• Part 8.6: Scheme of Members' Allowances - Outlines the scheme for members' allowances, including basic and special responsibility allowances, childcare and dependant's carers' allowances, and travel and subsistence expenses.

Officer Rules

Part 9 covers rules relating to officers.

• Part 9.1: Management Structure - Details the council's management structure.
• Part 9.2: Officer Scheme of Delegation - Sets out the decisions that elected members have authorised officers to take on behalf of the Council, aiming for a streamlined decision-making process. It includes provisions for councillor consultation, conditions of using delegated authority, and records of decisions.
• Part 9.3: List of Proper Officers - Provides a schedule of appointments for officers designated as Proper Officers under various statutory provisions, outlining their specific responsibilities.
• Part 9.4: Officer Code of Conduct - Establishes the standards of conduct expected of all officers, covering principles of integrity, rules on gifts and hospitality, use of council facilities and IT, confidentiality, financial conduct, equality, outside employment, political impartiality, and media activities.
• Part 9.5: Officer Employment Procedure Rules - Defines the procedures for appointing officers, including Statutory Officers and Chief Officers, and outlines rules for disciplinary action and dismissals.
• Part 9.6: Contract Procedure Rules - Sets out the principles, roles, and processes for all procurement activities undertaken by the Council, ensuring value for money, integrity, fairness, and compliance with legal requirements. It details pre-procurement steps, advertising requirements, tender evaluation, contract formalities, and contract management.
• Part 9.7: Financial Procedure Rules - Provides the framework for managing the Council's financial affairs, ensuring sound financial management, value for money, and minimizing legal challenges. It covers responsibilities, budgeting, forecasting, virements, banking, procurement arrangements, payments, income, bad debts, taxation, treasury management, internal audit, risk management, preventing fraud and corruption, insurance, asset management, and external arrangements.