Staffordshire County Council's Constitution was scheduled to be reviewed, with a comprehensive report pack detailing the council's operational framework, member conduct, and financial regulations. The meeting was scheduled to cover the entirety of the council's constitution, from the roles of councillors and citizens to the detailed procedures governing officers and committees.

The County Council's Constitution

The Staffordshire County Council's Constitution was scheduled to be considered in its entirety. This extensive document outlines the fundamental principles and operational procedures of the council. It was scheduled to cover how the council works, including the rights and responsibilities of elected members, officers, and citizens. The constitution details the decision-making processes, including the roles of the Cabinet, Full Council, and Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as well as the principles that guide all council decisions.

Members of the County Council

A significant portion of the constitution was scheduled to focus on the role and responsibilities of elected members. This included details on their composition, eligibility, election, and terms of office. The report pack was scheduled to outline the specific roles, functions, rights, and responsibilities of all councillors. Furthermore, it was scheduled to cover the Members' Code of Conduct, providing guidance on ethical standards and behaviour. The Members' Allowances Scheme, detailing financial entitlements, and the Parental Leave Policy for Members were also scheduled for consideration. Finally, a Councillor Dress Code was scheduled to be presented, outlining expectations for attire at official council events and meetings.

Citizens and the County Council

The constitution was scheduled to detail the rights of citizens in their dealings with the council. This included information on voting and referenda, citizens' rights to access information, and the council's complaints procedure. The petitions scheme was also scheduled to be outlined, explaining how residents can formally raise concerns and suggestions with the council.

The Full Council

The purpose and functions of the Full Council were scheduled to be discussed, including its role in adopting the council's budget and policy framework. This section was scheduled to detail the specific functions of the Full Council, such as appointing the Leader of the Council, agreeing terms of reference for committees, and conferring honorary titles. The Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules were also scheduled to be presented, outlining the process for developing and approving the council's financial and policy strategies.

The Cabinet

The executive arrangements of the council were scheduled to be reviewed, 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 report pack was scheduled to detail the role of the Cabinet, Cabinet Decisions, and the responsibilities of individual Cabinet Members, including general delegations. The constitution of various Cabinet Sub-Committees, such as the Property Sub-Committee and the County Farm Tenancies Panel, was also scheduled for discussion.

Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The general role and function of Overview and Scrutiny Committees were scheduled to be outlined. This section was to detail their terms of reference, membership, and how their work programmes and budgets are managed. The report pack was scheduled to explain how Cabinet Members and officers are held accountable, and the procedures for call-in of executive decisions.

Other Committees

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

Joint Arrangements

The principles governing joint arrangements between Staffordshire County Council and other local authorities were scheduled to be discussed. This included the terms of reference for existing joint committees, such as the Staffordshire Leaders' Board and the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent Joint Archives Committee.

Officers

The section on officers was scheduled to cover the management structure, the roles of statutory officers, and the conduct and employment of council staff. This included the Local Code of Conduct for Officers, the Whistleblowing Policy, and the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Theft Policy. The Scheme of Delegation to officers was also scheduled to be presented, outlining the powers that can be exercised by officers.

Procedural Standing Orders

The procedural standing orders governing the conduct of council meetings were scheduled to be reviewed. This included rules on meetings of the Council, quorum, questions from members, and the rules of debate.

Access to Information Procedure Rules

The rules governing public access to information were scheduled to be discussed. This included rights to attend meetings, access to agendas and reports, and the exclusion of the public from meetings where confidential or exempt information would be disclosed. The Forward Plan of Key Decisions was also scheduled to be outlined.

Financial Regulations

The council's financial regulations were scheduled to be presented, covering financial planning, budgeting, reporting, audit, control, spending, income, treasury management, assets, insurance, and other funds. This included detailed appendices on the Credit Management Strategy and the Anti-Money Laundering Strategy.

Procurement Regulations

The council's procurement regulations were scheduled to be reviewed, outlining the processes for acquiring works, goods, and services. This included details on sourcing strategies, contract duration and value, evaluation of tenders, and contract management. The regulations also covered exemptions and exceptions to the procurement rules.