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Constitution

The constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures to be followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

The Constitution is split into the following parts:

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation
Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution
Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions
Part 4 - Rules of Procedure
Part 5 - Codes and Protocols
Part 6 - Member's Allowance Scheme
Part 7 - Management Structure

The individual articles and sections of those parts are shown below:

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation (pdf)

Part 2 Article 1 - The Constitution (pdf)

Part 2 Article 2 - Members of the Council (pdf)

Part 2 Article 3 - Citizens and the Council (pdf)

Part 2 Article 4 - The Full Council (pdf)

Part 2 Article 5 - Role and function of the Mayor (pdf)

Part 2 Article 6 - Overview and Scrutiny Committees (pdf)

Part 2 Article 7 - The Executive (pdf)

Part 2 Article 8 - Regulatory and Other Committees (pdf)

Part 2 Article 9 - The Standards Committee (pdf)

Part 2 Article 10 - Area Committees (pdf)

Part 2 Article 11 - Joint Arrangements (pdf)

Part 2 Article 12 - The Sunderland Health and Wellbeing Board (pdf)

Part 2 Article 13 - Employees (pdf)

Part 2 Article 14 - Decision Making (pdf)

Part 2 Article 15 - Finance and Contracts and Legal Matters (pdf)

Part 2 Article 16 - Review and Revision of the Constitution (pdf)

Part 2 Article 17 - Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution (pdf)

Part 2 Schedule1 - Description of Executive Arrangements (pdf)

Part 3 Preface - Responsibility for Functions (pdf)

Part 3 Section 1 - Responsibility for Local Choice Functions (pdf)

Part 3 Section 2 - Responsibility for Council Functions (pdf)

Part 3 Section 3 - Responsibility for Executive Functions (pdf)

Part 3 Section 4 - Delegations to Chief Officers (pdf)

Part 3 Section 5 - Joint Arrangements (pdf)

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure (pdf)

Part 4 Section 1 - Council Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 2 - Access to Information Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 3 - Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 4 - Executive Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 5 - Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 6 - Health and Wellbeing Board Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 7 - Financial Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 8 - Procurement Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 4 Section 9 - Employment Procedure Rules (pdf)

Part 5 Section 1 - Members' Code of Conduct (pdf)

Part 5 Section 2 - Employees' Code of Conduct (pdf)

Part 5 Section 3 - Protocol on Member/Employee Relations (pdf)

Part 5 Section 4 - Protocol for Members in Relation to Development Control Matters (pdf)

Part 5 Section 5 - WhistlebBlowing Policy (pdf)

Part 5 Section 6 - Protocol on the Use of Civic Cars (pdf)

Part 5 Section 7 - Protocol for Members in Relation to Licensing and Gambling Matters (pdf)

Part 5 Section 8 - Protocol for Members and Voting Co-opted Members - Use of Council Resources and Equipment (pdf)

Part 5 Section 9 - Guidance for Members in Relation to the Use of Council ICT Facilities (pdf)

Part 5 Section 10 - Protocol for Use of Member Websites (pdf)

Part 5 Section 11 - Data Protection: Guidance for Councillors (pdf)

Part 5 Section 12 - Remote Intranet/Internet Access for Members (pdf)

Part 5 Section 13 - Protocol in Relation to Members' Business Dealings with the Council (pdf)

Part 5 Section 14 - Council Publicity (pdf)

Part 6 - Members' Allowances Scheme (pdf)

Part 7 - Management Structure (pdf)