The Constitution of Manchester Council met on Wednesday 20 May 2026 to discuss the adoption of a new constitution for the council. The report pack provided to attendees outlined the proposed articles, responsibilities for functions, rules of procedure, financial regulations, codes and protocols, members' allowances scheme, and management structure.

The Council's Constitution

The meeting's agenda focused on the adoption of Manchester City Council's constitution, which sets out how the council operates, makes decisions, and ensures efficiency, transparency, and accountability. The constitution is divided into 16 articles, with detailed procedures and codes of practice provided in separate rules and protocols.

Articles of the Constitution

The report pack detailed the 16 articles of the constitution, which cover:

• Article 1: The Constitution itself, outlining its purpose.
• Article 2: Members of the Council, including composition, eligibility, election, roles, conduct, and allowances.
• Article 3: Citizens and the Council, detailing citizens' rights and responsibilities.
• Article 4: The Full Council, defining its functions, including policy framework and budget responsibilities.
• Article 5: Chairing the Council, outlining the role and function of the Lord Mayor.
• Article 6: Scrutiny Committees, detailing their terms of reference, general role, specific functions, and proceedings.
• Article 7: The Executive, covering its role, form, composition, and proceedings.
• Article 8: Regulatory and other Committees, including the Health and Wellbeing Board.
• Article 9: The Standards Committee, outlining its composition, role, functions, and delegation.
• Article 10: Area Committees, detailing their form, composition, function, and rules on conflicts of interest.
• Article 11: Joint Arrangements, covering the establishment of joint committees and delegation of functions.
• Article 12: Officers, defining the roles and functions of the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer, and Chief Finance Officer.
• Article 13: Decision Making, outlining principles, types of decisions, and procedures for the Council, Executive, scrutiny committees, and officers.
• Article 14: Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters, referencing the Financial Regulations and Contract Procurement Rules.
• Article 15: Review and Revision of the Constitution, detailing the duty to monitor and review and the process for changes.
• Article 16: Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution.
• Schedule 1: Description of Executive Arrangements.

Responsibility for Functions

The report pack also detailed the responsibility for the Council's functions, categorised into:

• Executive Functions: Those functions the Executive is responsible for, unless otherwise specified.
• Council (Non-Executive) Functions: Those functions the Council is responsible for, which may be delegated to committees or officers.
• Local Choice Functions: Functions that the Council can decide to designate as either executive or non-executive.

Sections A, B, C, D, E, and F of Part 3 of the Constitution outlined the specific responsibilities for Local Choice Functions, Executive Functions, Council (Non-Executive) Functions, Area Committees, Scrutiny Committees, and the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, respectively.

Rules of Procedure

Part 4 of the Constitution, covering the Rules of Procedure, was also scheduled for discussion. This included:

• Section A: Council Procedure Rules: Governing the conduct of meetings of the full Council.
• Section B: Access to Information Procedure Rules: Outlining public rights to attend meetings, access agendas, reports, minutes, and background papers, and procedures for excluding the public.
• Section C: Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules: Detailing the process for developing and amending the Council's budget and policy framework, and procedures for conflict resolution.
• Section D: Executive Procedure Rules: Governing the conduct of Executive meetings, including declaration of interests and non-participation.
• Section E: Scrutiny Procedure Rules: Outlining the process for scrutiny committees, including call-in procedures for executive decisions.
• Section F: Officer Employment Procedure Rules: Detailing procedures for the recruitment, appointment, and dismissal of officers.

Financial Regulations

Part 5 of the Constitution, covering Financial Regulations, was also on the agenda. This included:

• Section A: Status of Financial Regulations: Outlining the overarching status and application of the regulations.
• Section B: Roles and Responsibilities, Risk Management and Partnerships: Detailing the financial responsibilities of various bodies and officers, risk management strategies, and procedures for partnerships.
• Section C: Financial Systems and Procedures: Covering budget setting and monitoring, accountancy, income and expenditure, assets, and treasury management.
• Section D: Contract Procurement Rules: Setting out the procedures for procuring goods, works, and services, including competition requirements, advertising, evaluation, and contract management.

Codes and Protocols

Part 6 of the Constitution, covering Codes and Protocols, was also scheduled for discussion. This included:

• Section A: Code of Conduct for Members: Setting out the general principles of conduct for councillors.
• Section B: Planning Protocol for Members and Officers: Guiding the conduct of members and officers in planning matters.
• Section C: Use of Council Resources Policy for Members: Detailing the acceptable use of council resources by members.
• Section D: Gifts and Hospitality Policy for Members: Providing guidance on the acceptance and declaration of gifts and hospitality.
• Section E: Code of Conduct for Employees: Setting out the expected standards of behaviour for council staff.
• Section F: Member / Officer Relations Protocol: Guiding the interactions between councillors and council officers.

Members' Allowances Scheme

Part 7 of the Constitution, the Members' Allowances Scheme, was also scheduled for discussion, detailing the basic allowance, special responsibility allowances, child care and dependant carers allowance, and travel and subsistence allowances for councillors.

Management Structure

Finally, Part 8 of the Constitution, concerning the Management Structure, was to be reviewed, outlining the Corporate Management Team, Chief Officers, Statutory Officers, Deputy Chief Officers, and Heads of Service.