Decision details

Under its terms of reference, the Committee is tasked with an overview of the Council’s Constitution and consideration of proposed amendments or revisions to the Constitution including the Schemes of Delegation, Procedure Rules and Protocols.

Members were informed that the annual review of the Council’s Financial Procedure Rules, including the Contract Procedure Rules, had been completed.  These rules, formerly referred to as Financial Regulations and Contract Standing Orders, were designed to assist the Council to regulate and control the finances of all directorates and services.  The rules were fundamental to maintaining acceptable standards of financial administration, supporting good governance and the performance of functions across all areas of service delivery.  As a contractual condition of employment, every employee shall comply with these rules when carrying out their duties.

The documents had been benchmarked against other district councils and had been subsequently reviewed by the Council’s General Management Team.  Whilst leading Members were provided with the opportunity to feedback on the existing regulations, it was acknowledged that there has only been limited time for Member engagement given the timing of the Borough elections.  It was further noted though that the Financial Procedure Rules were subject to periodic review, therefore, any further changes required could be considered again as part of the next annual review of the Constitution.

RESOLVED that the updated Financial Procedure Rules, including the Contract Procedure Rules, be RECOMMENDED to Council.