Constitution

The Constitution of the County Council explains how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.  The documents on this page are all in PDF.

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation (PDF, 5 pages, 55KB)

Part 2 - Description of the Constitution (PDF, 34 pages, 208KB)

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions (PDF, 127 pages, 392KB)

Part 4 - Rules of the Constitution

• Section 1 - County Council Standing Orders (PDF, 66 pages, 160KB)
• Section 2 - Protocol on Decision-Making (PDF, 10 pages, 85KB)
• Section 2A - Protocol on County Local Committees
  (PDF, 11 pages, 140KB)
• Section 3 - Protocol on Select Committees (PDF, 12 pages, 120KB)  
• Section 3A - Protocol on Select Committees (Joint Scrutiny with West Sussex Borough and District Councils) (PDF, 6 Pages, 50KB) 
• Section 4 - Risk Management Procedures (PDF, 5 pages, 51KB)
• Section 5 - Financial Regulations (PDF, 22 pages, 135KB)
• Section 5A - Financial Procedures (PDF, 54 pages, 468KB)
• Section 6 - Standing Orders on Procurement and Contracts
  (PDF, 23 pages, 151KB)
• Section 7 - Petitions Scheme (PDF, 7 pages, 84KB)
• Section 8 - Procedural Guidance on Deputations to Cabinet Members and non-Executive Committees (PDF, 2 pages, 20KB)
• Section 9 - General Protocol with Borough and District Councils
  (PDF, 7 pages, 58KB)
• Section 10 - Statement of Partnership with Local Councils (Parish, Town, City and Neighbourhood Councils) (PDF, 10 pages, 113KB)

Part 5 - Codes of Conduct

• Section 1 - Code of Conduct (PDF, 12 pages, 98KB)
• Section 2 - Prescribed General Principles (PDF, 3 pages, 26KB)
• Section 3 - Members' Disciplinary Arrangements (PDF, 3 pages, 32KB)
• Section 4 - Code of Practice on Probity in Planning and Protocol on Public Participation at Planning and Rights of Way Committees
  (PDF, 15 pages, 132KB)
• Section 5 - Guidance for Members on Hospitality and Gifts
  (PDF, 5 pages, 51KB)
• Section 6 - Protocol for use of IT Equipment and Facilities provided to Members (PDF, 7 pages, 68KB)
• Section 7 - Protocol on Relationships between Members and Officers
  (PDF, 12 pages, 109KB)
• Section 8 - Code of Practice on Publicity (PDF, 3 pages, 13KB)
• Section 9 - Guidance on the Human Rights Act (PDF, 7 pages, 55KB)
• Section 10 - Guidance on Propriety and Official Conduct for Officers
  (PDF, 11 pages, 111KB)
• Section 11 - Anti Fraud and Corruption Strategy - Policy Statement
  (PDF, 9 pages, 99KB)
• Section 11A - Anti Bribery Policy and Procedures (PDF, 7 pages, 78KB)
• Section 12 - Confidential Reporting Policy (Whistle Blowing)
  (PDF, 9 pages, 71KB)
• Section 13 - Equality of Opportunity Value Statement and Policy
  (PDF, 17 pages, 163KB)

Part 6 - Members’ Allowances Scheme (PDF, 13 pages, 123KB)

Part 7 - Access to Information Procedure Rules (PDF, 15 pages, 146KB)

Part 8 - Corporate Advice Notes

• Section 1 - Briefing Members for Public Occasions (PDF, 1 page, 28KB)
• Section 2 - County Council: Cabinet Member Question Time
  (PDF, 1 page, 20KB)
• Section 3 - Members' Interests - Members' Statements of Opinion in the Community (PDF, 2 pages, 34KB)
• Section 4 - Non-Executive Committees - Pre-agenda Meetings
  (PDF, 2 pages, 39KB)
• Section 5 - Principles governing the Calendar of Meetings
  (PDF, 1 page, 29KB)
• Section 6 - Protocol for items being referred to Cabinet
  (PDF, 1 page, 28KB)
• Section 7 - Protocol for Local Member Notification (PDF, 3 pages, 46KB)
• Section 8 - Protocol on Officer Attendance at Group Meetings
  (PDF, 2 pages, 37KB)
• Section 9 - Protocol on use of the Council Chamber and Committee Rooms at County Hall (PDF, 2 pages, 31KB)
• Section 10 - Member Job Descriptions (PDF, 20 pages, 96KB)
• Section 11 - Select Committee Task Forces and Cabinet Working Groups
  (PDF, 3 pages, 44KB)
• Section 12 - Deputies to Cabinet Members and Advisers to Cabinet Members (PDF, 2 pages, 40KB)
• Section 13 - Protocol for Webcasting Meetings (PDF, 2 pages, 30KB)
• Section 14 - Councillor Call for Action (PDF, 2 pages, 39KB)