Staffordshire County Council's Constitution was scheduled to be considered in a meeting on Friday 09 October 2026. The meeting was scheduled to review the council's governing documents, including its structure, decision-making processes, and the roles and responsibilities of councillors and officers. The report pack provided attendees with a comprehensive overview of the council's constitution, detailing how it operates, how decisions are made, and the procedures in place to ensure transparency and accountability.

The Council's Constitution: Role and Purpose

The meeting was scheduled to consider the role and purpose of the Staffordshire County Council's Constitution. This document was scheduled to be reviewed to ensure it effectively outlines how the council operates, how decisions are made, and the procedures followed to ensure efficiency, transparency, and accountability to local people. The constitution is divided into various sections, covering everything from the roles of councillors and officers to financial and procurement regulations.

Members of the County Council

A significant portion of the meeting was scheduled to be dedicated to the members of the County Council. This was scheduled to include discussions on their composition, eligibility, election, and terms of office. The roles, functions, rights, and responsibilities of all councillors were scheduled to be examined, alongside the Members' Code of Conduct, guidance on member/officer relations, and the Members' Allowances Scheme. The Parental Leave Policy and Procedure for Members, and the Councillor Dress Code were also scheduled for consideration.

Citizens and the County Council

The rights of citizens in relation to the County Council were scheduled to be discussed. This was to include their rights to vote and participate in referenda, submit or sign petitions, and access information. The constitution outlines citizens' rights to attend meetings, view reports and background papers, inspect accounts, and make their views known to the external auditor. Citizens' rights to complain about the Council's actions or proposals, and the process for doing so, were also scheduled to be covered.

The Full Council

The purpose and functions of the Full Council were scheduled to be a key topic. This body, comprising all elected members, is responsible for adopting the Council's Budget and Policy Framework, including the Medium Term Financial Strategy and the Strategic Plan. The meeting was scheduled to consider the functions of the Full Council, including the election of the Leader of the Council, the appointment of Committees, and the adoption of a Members' Allowances Scheme. The Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules were also scheduled to be reviewed.

The Cabinet

The meeting was scheduled to consider the executive arrangements of the Council, focusing on the role of the Cabinet. This body, comprising the Leader of the County Council and up to nine elected members, is responsible for making key decisions. The discussions were scheduled to cover the appointment and terms of office of the Leader, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Members, as well as the procedure at Cabinet meetings. Cabinet Member responsibilities, including general delegations, and the role of Local Choice Functions which are Cabinet responsibilities, were also scheduled to be examined. The Property Sub-Committee, County Farm Tenancies Panel, and the terms of reference for Boards and Cabinet Sub-Committees were also listed for consideration.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The general role and function of Overview and Scrutiny Committees were scheduled to be discussed. These committees support the work of the Cabinet and the Council as a whole, scrutinising both planned and taken decisions. The meeting was scheduled to consider their terms of reference, membership, meetings, work programme, and budget. The accountability of Cabinet Members, officers giving account, and attendance by others were also on the agenda. Policy Advisory Groups and Policy Review, Scrutiny Reports, and the rights of members to documents were also scheduled for discussion, alongside the 'call-in' procedure for decisions.

Other Committees

The meeting was scheduled to consider the terms of reference for other committees, including the Planning Committee, Audit and Standards Committee, Pensions Committee, and Charities and Trusts Committee.

Joint Arrangements

The general principles of Joint Arrangements were scheduled to be discussed, along with the terms of reference for existing arrangements.

Officers

The management structure, statutory officers, and their conduct, employment, exercise of delegated powers, and finance, legal and contract matters were scheduled to be reviewed. The Scheme of Delegation, Local Code of Conduct for Officers, Whistleblowing Policy, Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Theft Policy, and Officer Employment Rules were also listed for consideration.

Procedural Standing Orders

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Procedural Standing Orders, which govern how meetings work. This includes rules on the conduct of meetings, voting, and the submission of motions and amendments.

Access to Information Procedure Rules

The rules governing access to information, agendas, reports, and minutes were scheduled to be discussed. This includes rules on attendance at meetings, the exclusion of the public, confidential information, and the Forward Plan of Key Decisions.

Financial Regulations

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Council's Financial Regulations, covering financial planning, budgeting, reporting, audit, control, spending, income, treasury management, assets, insurance, managing risk, and other funds.

Procurement Regulations

The Procurement Regulations, covering procurement processes, the contracts register, the procurement toolkit, public procurement regulations, and exemptions and exceptions, were also scheduled for consideration.

The meeting was scheduled to review the entirety of the Staffordshire County Council Constitution, ensuring its continued relevance and effectiveness in governing the council's operations and decision-making processes.