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The Council’s Constitution

The City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council has agreed a Constitution which sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

The Constitution is divided into 16 ‘Articles’, which set out the basic rules governing the Council’s business. More detailed procedures and codes of practice are provided in separate rules and protocols at the end of the document.

What’s in the Constitution?

Article 1 of the Constitution commits the Council to a system of efficient, transparent and accountable governance. In carrying out its duties and responsibilities, the Council will act in an open and inclusive manner. Articles 2 to 16 explain the rights of citizens and how the key parts of the Council operate. These are:

• Members of the Council (Article 2).
• Citizens and the Council (Article 3).
• The Full Council Meeting (Article 4).
• Role of Mayor (Article 5)
• Overview and scrutiny of decisions (Article 6).
• The Executive (Cabinet) (Article 7)
• Regulatory and other committees (Article 8).
• The Standards Committee (Article 9).
• The Licensing Committee (Article 10).
• Joint arrangements (Article 11).
• Officers (Article 12).
• Decision making (Article 13).
• Finance, contracts and legal matters (Article 14).
• Review and revision of the Constitution (Article 15).
• Suspension, interpretation and publication of the Constitution (Article 16).