A meeting was scheduled to take place to discuss and approve the North Northamptonshire Council's constitution, which serves as the council's rule book for decision-making and operational procedures. The constitution is divided into nine parts, covering topics such as decision-making, public participation, council and committee procedures, executive functions, scrutiny, joint arrangements, councillor conduct, and officer conduct. The version presented was last updated in July 2025.

North Northamptonshire Council Constitution

The attendees were scheduled to review and approve the North Northamptonshire Council's constitution, which is divided into nine parts:

• Glossary: A glossary of terms used in the constitution was included, with definitions of terms such as 'adjourned', 'budget', 'key decision', and 'ward'.
• Introduction, Summary and Explanation: This section provides an overview of the council's operations, decision-making processes, and procedures. It emphasises the council's commitment to transparency and accountability.
• Decision Making: This part outlines the principles of decision-making within the council, including proportionality, consultation, respect for human rights, and best value. It details the roles of the council, executive, and scrutiny committees in the decision-making process.
• Public Participation and Rights: This section focuses on how the public can get involved in council activities, including contacting councillors, attending meetings, submitting petitions, and participating in consultations.
• Role of Council: This defines the functions of the full council, including adopting the budget and policy framework, setting council tax, and appointing committees.
• Meeting Procedure Rules: This section outlines the rules for conducting council meetings, including procedures for motions, amendments, public participation, and voting.
• Budget and Policy Framework and Procedure Rules: This section describes the process for developing and adopting the budget and policy framework, which guides the Executive's decisions.
• Governance Structure: This provides a diagram of the council's governance structure, showing the relationships between different committees and boards.
• Planning Committee: This section outlines the purpose, membership, and terms of reference for the Planning Committee, which considers planning applications not handled by officers.
• Democracy and Standards Committee: This describes the functions of the Democracy and Standards Committee, including reviewing the council's constitution, overseeing elections, and promoting ethical standards for councillors.
• Audit and Governance Committee: This outlines the role of the Audit and Governance Committee in providing independent assurance on the council's governance, risk management, and financial reporting.
• Health and Wellbeing Board: This section details the purpose, membership, and terms of reference for the Health and Wellbeing Board, which aims to improve health outcomes and reduce inequalities.
• Employment Committee: This describes the powers of the Employment Committee, which deals with employment matters relating to senior officers.
• Licensing and Appeals Committee: This outlines the powers of the Licensing and Appeals Committee, which handles licensing and registration functions.
• Executive Procedure Rules: This sets out the rules relating to the Executive, including its composition, decision-making processes, and relationship with scrutiny committees.
• Access to Information Procedure Rules: This section details the rules for accessing information about council meetings, decisions, and documents.
• Joint Arrangements: This outlines the arrangements for joint working with other councils and organisations, including joint committees and statutory bodies.
• Scrutiny Procedure Rules: This describes the role and functions of scrutiny committees in holding the Executive to account and reviewing council performance.
• Roles of Councillors and Office Holders: This section sets out the responsibilities of elected members, including representing their constituents, participating in council governance, and adhering to ethical standards.
• Member Code of Conduct: This outlines the standards of conduct expected of councillors, including integrity, objectivity, and respect for others.
• Member Complaints Procedure: This describes the process for making and investigating complaints against councillors who have allegedly breached the code of conduct.
• Member Officer Protocol: This provides guidance on the working relationship between councillors and officers, defining their respective roles and responsibilities.
• Planning Protocol: This aims to ensure that planning decisions are made openly, impartially, and with sound judgement.
• Planning Committee Site Visit Protocol: This sets out the arrangements for conducting site visits related to planning applications.
• Scheme of Members' Allowances: This outlines the allowances paid to councillors, including basic allowances, special responsibility allowances, and expenses.
• Outside Bodies Procedure Rules: This describes the process for appointing councillors to external organisations and partnerships.
• Management Structure: This provides a diagram of the council's management structure.
• Officer Scheme of Delegation: This document shows what decisions elected Members have authorised Officers to take on behalf of the Council and is intended to provide a streamlined, clear and simple decision-making process and should be interpreted widely.
• List of Proper Officers: This lists the officers responsible for specific statutory functions.
• Officer Code of Conduct: This outlines the standards of conduct expected of council officers, including integrity, impartiality, and confidentiality.
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules: This defines how the council will appoint officers and take any necessary action in relation to their employment with the authority.
• Contract Procedure Rules: This sets out the principles, roles and processes involved in procurement at the council.
• Financial Procedure Rules: This provides the framework for managing the council's financial affairs, in order to ensure that they are conducted in a sound and proper manner, constitute value for money and minimise the risk of legal challenge to the council.