Constitution of Torfaen Council

The constitution governs the way the council, councillors and officers work together to deliver the council’s functions.  

It ensures everyone acts lawfully, fairly and appropriately and that the council’s functions are performed properly and effectively. 

It is intended to: 

• Enable the council to make decisions effectively and efficiently
• Support you to participate in decisions that affect you
• Help councilors to represent their constituents more effectively
• Enable you to hold the council to account

The sections of the constitution are available to download below. 

For help in understanding the document, you can download a Guide to the Constitution.

• Part 1 – Introduction
• Part 2 – Citizens and the Council - How citizens can participate in council matters, access information, and make complaints
• Part 3 – Members of the Council - Outline of the role of elected members
• Part 4 – The Council - Rules and procedures governing the council, its meetings, and the conduct of its members
• Part 5 – The Executive - Structure, roles, and responsibilities of the Cabinet, Leader, Deputy Leader, and other Executive Members
• Part 6 – Overview and Scrutiny - Overview and Scrutiny Committees, their powers, and responsibilities
• Part 7 – Regulation - Regulatory functions including the establishment of committees, such as the Planning Committee and the Licensing Committees, their powers, and responsibilities
• Part 8 – Ethics and Standards - Member conduct and role of the Ethics and Standards Committee
• Part 9 – Governance and Audit - Governance and audit arrangements
• Part 10 – Area Forums, Task Groups and Other Committees - Functions and composition of various committees and groups
• Part 11 - Officers - Officer structure and statutory roles
• Part 12 - Pensions - Governance, management and administration of the Greater Gwent (Torfaen) Pension Fund
• Appendix 1 – The Code of Conduct for Councillors
• Appendix 2 – Codes of Conduct and Protocols
• Appendix 3 – The Scheme of Members’ Remuneration
• Appendix 4 – Sub-Committees and Joint Committees of the Cabinet
• Appendix 5 – Executive Decision Making Rules
• Appendix 6 – Executive Portfolios
• Appendix 7 – Allocation of Miscellaneous Functions
• Appendix 8 – Allocation of Choice Functions
• Appendix 9 – Scheme of Delegation For Planning Matters
• Appendix 10 – The Scheme of Delegation For Licensing Matters
• Appendix 11 – Site Inspection Procedures
• Appendix 12 – Third Party Speaking Rights at Meetings of the Planning Committee
• Appendix 13 – Procedures for Licensing Panels and Committees
• Appendix 14 – Ethics and Standards Committee
• Appendix 15 – The Employee Code of Conduct
• Appendix 16 – Contract Standing Orders
• Appendix 17 – Financial Regulations
• Appendix 18 – Whistleblowing Policies
• Appendix 19 – Partnership Bodies
• Appendix 20 – Recruitment of Chief Executive & Strategic Directors
• Appendix 21 – Local Protocol and Procedure
• Appendix 22 – Monitoring Officer Protocol  
• Appendix 23 – Hybrid (Multi-Location) Meeting Policy
• Appendix 24 – Petition Scheme
• Appendix 25 – Member Champion Protocol

If you have any questions, please call 01495 762200 and ask to speak to Democratic Services.  Alternatively you can email democraticservices@torfaen.gov.uk.