The Constitution

A ballot of the electorate, on the strength of their political affiliations or their local standing, elects members, or councillors, to a local authority. The councillors of a local authority are there to make decisions and run the Council. Detailed rules about how the Council makes its decisions and who is responsible for implementing them are set out in the Constitution. This document was introduced following new political management arrangements in 2002 and it is regularly reviewed to ensure that decision making is effective and efficient.

The documents on the right are available to view, but please note that the Constitution is a large file and will take some time to download.

A new structure on ethics was introduced under the Local Government Act 2000, which sets out how councillors should conduct themselves when elected into public office. Commonly referred to as the 'new ethical framework', it requires all councils to adopt a Code of Conduct which applies to all councillors.

In May 2002, Stratford-on-Avon District Council adopted the Model Code of Conduct as set out in government regulations. This Code has subsequently been revised and the new Code was adopted by the Council on 23rd July 2007. All district councillors sign an undertaking that they will comply with the Code. The full text of the Code is available as a pdf file on the right.

There are 76 parish and 4 town councils within the Stratford-on-Avon District that have adopted the Model Code for Parish Councils, issued by the government. The full text of the Parish Code is set out in a file on the right, also in pdf format.

At the moment, an independent body, known as the Standards Board for England (SBE), handles all complaints against councillors who may have breached the Code of Conduct. Information about how to complain about an individual councillor can be found on the Standards Board for England website, www.standardsboard.gov.uk. However, from May 2008, the Council's Standards and Ethics Committee will be responsible for receiving these complaints. Information about how to complain to the Committee will follow at a later date.

The following forms are available for Parish and Town Councils to download:

The Declaration of Financial and Other Interests and

The Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

To obtain further details, please contact the Monitoring Officer on 01789 260400, by fax on 01789 260007, or by email: monitoringofficer@stratford-dc.gov.uk