The Constitution of the Ashford Borough Council explains:

• How the council operates
• How decisions are made
• The procedures which are followed to ensure decisions are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people

Some processes are required by law, but certain matters the council can decide itself.

The Constitution is divided into 16 Articles which set out the basic rules governing the council's business.

The contents of the Constitution are shown below.

• Part 1 - Summary and Explanation - (Download Part 1 45.8Kb PDF)

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution - (Download Part 2 95.6Kb PDF)

• Article 1 - The Constitution
• Article 2 - Members of the Council
• Article 3 - Citizens and the Council
• Article 4 - The Full Council
• Article 5 - Chairing the Council
• Article 6 - Overview and Scrutiny Committees and Policy Advisory Groups
• Article 7 - The Executive
• Article 8 - Regulatory and other Committees of the Council
• Article 9 - The Standards Committee
• Article 10 - Area Committees and Forums
• Article 11 - Joint Arrangements
• Article 12 - Officers
• Article 13 - Decision Making
• Article 14 - Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters
• Article 15 - Review and Revision of the Constitution
• Article 16 - Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution

• Schedule 1 - Description of Executive Arrangements

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions - (Download Part 3 489Kb PDF)

• Responsibility for Functions
• Appendix 1 - Functions exercised by the Council
• Appendix 2 - Functions and powers of the Executive split between Executive Members and Groups constituted by the Executive to assist it in its work.
• Appendix 3 - Functions not to be the responsibility of the Executive
• Appendix 4 - Council Committees Terms of Reference and Delegations
• Appendix 5 - Scheme of The Delegations to Officers, including Proper and Authorised Officers and Designated Posts

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure - (Download Part 4 1.11Mb PDF)

• General Procedure Rules (separate index page)
• Appendix 1 - Procedural Decisions not contained within the General Procedure Rules
• Appendix 2 - Political Balance
• Appendix 3 - Procedural Decisions Relating to Committees etc.
• Appendix 4 - Scheme of Substitutes for Members
• Access to Information Procedure Rules
• Appendix 1 - Rights of the Public to Attend Meetings and to Inspect Documents
• Appendix 2 - Scheme of Public Participation
• Appendix 3 - Rights of Access to Meetings and Documents by Councillors
• Financial Procedure Rules (Revisions Awaited)
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
• Executive Procedure Rules
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
• Kent Association of Local Authority Protocol for Overview and Scrutiny Inter-Authority Co-operation
• Contracts Procedures Rules
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols - (Download Part 5 360Kb PDF)

• Members’ Code of Conduct
• Appendix 1 – The General Principles – The Ten Principles
• Appendix 2 – Ashford Borough Council Code of Conduct
• Appendix 3 – Flow Chart to Aid Determination of Interests
• Appendix 4 – Frequently Asked Questions
• Appendix 5 – Defamation and Qualified Privilege
• Good Practice Protocol for Councillors When Dealing With Planning Matters
• Civic Protocols
• Officers’ Code of Conduct
• Protocol on Member/Officer Relations

Part 6 - Members’ Allowances Scheme - (Download Part 6 47.4Kb PDF)

• Part 6 - Members’ Allowances Scheme

Part 7 - Management Structure - (Download Part 7 124Kb PDF)

• Part 7 - Management Structure
• Appendix 1 - Structure
• Appendix 2 - Management Team Roles/Functions