Staffordshire County Council's Constitution was scheduled to be the primary focus of a meeting on Tuesday 20 October 2026. The extensive report pack provided to attendees detailed the various sections of the Constitution, outlining how the council operates, how decisions are made, and the roles and responsibilities of councillors, officers, and citizens. The meeting was scheduled to consider the entirety of the Council's governing document, from its introduction to financial and procurement regulations.

Introduction to How the Council Works

The meeting was scheduled to consider the initial sections of the Constitution, which were intended to provide an overview of how Staffordshire County Council operates. This included details on the rights of council members, officers, and citizens, as well as the principles guiding decision-making processes. The reports were scheduled to explain how decisions are made by the Cabinet, the significance of Key Decisions, and how these decisions are scrutinised by Overview and Scrutiny Committees. The role of council staff, or officers, in supporting the council's functions was also scheduled to be outlined.

The County Council's Constitution: Role and Purpose

The scheduled discussion was to cover the fundamental role and purpose of the Council's Constitution. This included how it is interpreted, the procedures for its review and potential suspension, and how it is made publicly available. The Constitution itself was scheduled to be examined in detail, covering its various sections which govern the council's operations.

Members of the County Council

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

Citizens and the County Council

The meeting was scheduled to consider the rights of citizens in their dealings with the Council. This included their rights to vote, participate in referenda, access information, and make complaints. The Council's petitions scheme was also scheduled to be discussed, outlining how petitions are received, acknowledged, and responded to. Citizens' responsibilities, such as not being violent or abusive towards elected members or officers, were also to be covered.

The Full Council

The purpose and functions of the Full Council were scheduled to be a key topic. This included its responsibility for adopting the Council's Budget and Policy Framework, which encompasses key strategies and plans. The meeting was also scheduled to consider the process for making decisions on local choice functions, the election of the Leader of the Council, and the appointment of Committees. The rules governing Council meetings, including the election of a Chairperson, were also to be discussed.

The Cabinet

The meeting was scheduled to examine the executive arrangements of the Council, focusing on the role of the Cabinet. This included the appointment and terms of office for the Leader of the Council, Deputy Leader, and Cabinet Members. The role of the Cabinet, its decision-making processes, and the responsibilities of Cabinet Members were to be detailed. The establishment and terms of reference for Boards and Cabinet Sub-Committees, as well as the Shadow Cabinet, were also scheduled for consideration.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The general role and function of Overview and Scrutiny Committees were scheduled to be discussed. This included their terms of reference, membership, and how their meetings are conducted. The process for developing their work programmes and budgets, and how Cabinet Members and officers are held accountable, were also to be covered. The rules around call-in procedures, where decisions made by the Cabinet can be referred back for reconsideration, were also scheduled for review.

Other Committees

The meeting was scheduled to consider the roles and responsibilities of various other committees, including the Planning Committee, Audit and Standards Committee, Pensions Committee, and Charities and Trusts Committee. The specific functions and membership of these committees were to be detailed.

Joint Arrangements

The Constitution's provisions for joint arrangements were scheduled for discussion. This included general principles for such arrangements and the terms of reference for existing joint committees. The meeting was also to consider how information is accessed within these joint arrangements and the processes for delegating powers to and from other local authorities.

Officers

The meeting was scheduled to review the Council's officer structure, including the management structure and the roles of statutory officers such as the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer, and Chief Financial Officer. The conduct, employment, exercise of delegated powers, and financial, legal, and contract matters related to officers were to be covered. This included the Scheme of Delegation, the Local Code of Conduct for Officers, the Whistleblowing Policy, and the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Theft Policy.

Procedural Standing Orders

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Procedural Standing Orders, which govern how meetings are conducted. This included rules on the conduct of meetings, the order of business, speaking rights, voting procedures, and the handling of motions and amendments. Rules regarding members' interests in contracts and other matters, and the process for suspending standing orders, were also to be discussed.

Access to Information Procedure Rules

The rules governing access to information were scheduled for review. This included the public's rights to attend meetings, inspect and copy documents, and the procedures for excluding the public from meetings when confidential or exempt information is likely to be disclosed. The Forward Plan of Key Decisions, which outlines forthcoming key decisions, was also to be considered.

Financial Regulations

The meeting was scheduled to examine the Council's Financial Regulations, which set out the framework for managing its financial affairs. This covered financial planning, budgeting, reporting, audit, control, spending, income collection, treasury management, asset management, insurance, and the management of other funds. The Credit Management Strategy and Anti-Money-Laundering Strategy were also to be reviewed.

Procurement Regulations

The Procurement Regulations, which govern how the Council procures works, goods, and services, were scheduled for discussion. This included the threshold ladder for different procurement processes, pre-procurement activities, overall considerations such as honesty and conflicts of interest, and the procurement process itself, including advertising, evaluation, and contract award. Exemptions and exceptions to these regulations were also to be considered.

The meeting was scheduled to consider the entirety of the Staffordshire County Council Constitution, as detailed in the provided agenda and reports pack. The status of the meeting is PENDINGCOUNCILPUBLICATION, meaning that while information was made public, there is no confirmation that the meeting was held or that any decisions were made.