Council Constitution 

The Localism Act 2011 introduced new models of local governance giving the option of two models on which to develop a local constitution, viz. -

• The Executive which may consist of an elected Mayor and Cabinet Executive, or  a new style Leader and Cabinet Executive or
• A committee system

The Council has agreed to adopt a Leader and Cabinet (Executive) model.  The Council has also agreed a constitution which sets out how the Council will operate and the procedures that are followed to ensure that decision making is efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.  Some of the processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

The Constitution comprises a number of sections:-

• Part 1 describes the Principles on which the Constitution is founded;
• Part 2 describes 15 Articles of Governance that set out how the Constitution will operate; and
• Parts 3-7 provide further detail as to the operation of the Constitution.

The Principles (Part 1) can only be changed by 75% of the members present at a meeting of the Council voting to approve such changes or if there is a statutory requirement; the Articles of Governance (Part 2) and the document comprising Parts 3-7 can be changed by a simple majority of the members present at a meeting of the Council voting to approve such changes.

Responsibility for maintaining the Constitution rests with the Monitoring Officer (Borough Solicitor)
For any enquiries about the Constitution, please contact:

Borough Solicitor,
Third Floor, The Wellsprings,
Bolton.
Telephone: (01204) 331101
www.bolton.gov.uk

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