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 (opens in new tab).
- Part 1 – Introduction (opens in new tab)
- Part 2 – Citizens and the Council (opens in new tab) - How citizens can participate in council matters, access information, and make complaints
- Part 3 – Members of the Council (opens in new tab)- Outline of the role of elected members
- Part 4 – The Council (opens in new tab) - Rules and procedures governing the council, its meetings, and the conduct of its members
- Part 5 – The Executive (opens in new tab) - Structure, roles, and responsibilities of the Cabinet, Leader, Deputy Leader, and other Executive Members
- Part 6 – Overview and Scrutiny (opens in new tab) - Overview and Scrutiny Committees, their powers, and responsibilities
- Part 7 – Regulation (opens in new tab) - 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 (opens in new tab) - Member conduct and role of the Ethics and Standards Committee
- Part 9 – Governance and Audit (opens in new tab) - Governance and audit arrangements
- Part 10 – Area Forums, Task Groups and Other Committees (opens in new tab) - Functions and composition of various committees and groups
- Part 11 - Officers (opens in new tab) - Officer structure and statutory roles
- Part 12 - Pensions (opens in new tab) - Governance, management and administration of the Greater Gwent (Torfaen) Pension Fund
- Appendix 1 – The Code of Conduct for Councillors (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 2 – Codes of Conduct and Protocols (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 3 – The Scheme of Members’ Remuneration (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 4 – Sub-Committees and Joint Committees of the Cabinet (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 5 – Executive Decision Making Rules (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 6 – Executive Portfolios (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 7 – Allocation of Miscellaneous Functions (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 8 – Allocation of Choice Functions (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 9 – Scheme of Delegation For Planning Matters (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 10 – The Scheme of Delegation For Licensing Matters (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 11 – Site Inspection Procedures (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 12 – Third Party Speaking Rights at Meetings of the Planning Committee (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 13 – Procedures for Licensing Panels and Committees (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 14 – Ethics and Standards Committee (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 15 – The Employee Code of Conduct (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 16 – Contract Standing Orders (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 17 – Financial Regulations (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 18 – Whistleblowing Policies (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 19 – Partnership Bodies (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 20 – Recruitment of Chief Executive & Strategic Directors (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 21 – Local Protocol and Procedure (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 22 – Monitoring Officer Protocol (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 23 – Hybrid (Multi-Location) Meeting Policy (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 24 – Petition Scheme (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 25 – Member Champion Protocol (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 26 - Family Absence Policy for Elected Members (opens in new tab)
- Appendix 27 - Public Speaking Arrangements Overview & Scrutiny Committees (opens in new tab)