The purpose of the
Constitution and Governance Committee is to:
a)
Maintain an effective, up to date and legally
compliant Constitution.
b)
Consider proposals from Council committees for
changes to the constitutional arrangements of the
Council.
c)
Submit an annual report to the Council recommending
a revised Constitution for approval to the Council’s Annual
General Meeting. See notes below.
d)
Receive assurance from the Returning Officer
regarding the administration of any elections;
e)
Oversee the Council’s input and response to
boundary or electoral reviews as required by the Boundary
Commission.
Notes: The functions of the
Committee exclude approval of:
·
Any changes to the operational arrangements of the
Council including the Committee structure – which will be
referred to Council for approval as a recommendation
·
The Scheme of Members’ Allowances which is
approved by the Council on the recommendation of the Independent
Remuneration Panel;
·
The Council’s executive arrangements, which
are the responsibility of the Leader of Council;
·
Any change to the Council’s model of
democratic governance under the Localism Act 2011.
Terms of Reference
1)
Maintain an overview of all aspects of the
Council’s Constitution not otherwise reserved to the
Standards Committee including but not limited to decision-making,
Contract Procedure Rules and Financial
Procedure Rules. Any proposed changes to the Council’s
Constitution are to be recommended to Council for
approval.
2)
Review any issue referred to it within these Terms
of Reference by the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer, Section
151 Officer or any Body of the
Council.
3)
Consider the Council’s corporate governance
arrangements and make recommendations to ensure compliance best
practice.
4)
Such other matters as required by law or guidance to
be the proper remit of the Constitution and Governance
Committee.
For further details, please
see the
Constitution or email Democratic Services on democraticservicesteam@somerset.gov.uk
