Council Constitution 2026
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The Ambridge District Council Constitution 2026 is the foundational governance document of the Council, formally adopted at the Annual Meeting on 1 May 2026. It sets out, in comprehensive and legally compliant terms, how the Council is structured, how it makes decisions, and the rules and procedures that govern all aspects of Council business. Rooted in the requirements of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Localism Act 2011, the Constitution is the primary reference document for Members, officers, and members of the public seeking to understand how democratic local government in Ambridge operates.
The Constitution is organised into eight parts. Part 1 provides a plain-language summary of its purpose and scope. Part 2 addresses the composition of the Council — 42 elected Members across 18 wards — and sets out the rights and duties of Members, including their obligations under the Nolan Principles of Public Life. Part 3 defines the reserved functions of Full Council, including budget setting, constitutional amendments, and the appointment of the Chief Executive.
Parts 4 and 5 establish the Executive arrangements, detailing the Cabinet’s structure and the responsibilities of the eight Portfolio Holders appointed for 2026, alongside the regulatory and scrutiny committee framework. Part 6 addresses the role of officers, with particular emphasis on the statutory responsibilities of the Chief Executive as Head of Paid Service. Parts 7 and 8 set out the principles of decision-making and the financial and contract procedure rules respectively.
The Constitution is subject to annual review and can only be amended by Full Council resolution, providing a robust safeguard against arbitrary changes to governance arrangements. Its publication in full on the Council website reflects the Council’s commitment to open and transparent democratic governance.The Ambridge District Council Constitution 2026 is the foundational governance document of the Council, formally adopted at the Annual Meeting on 1 May 2026. It sets out, in comprehensive and legally compliant terms, how the Council is structured, how it makes decisions, and the rules and procedures that govern all aspects of Council business. Rooted in the requirements of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Localism Act 2011, the Constitution is the primary reference document for Members, officers, and members of the public seeking to understand how democratic local government in Ambridge operates.
The Constitution is organised into eight parts. Part 1 provides a plain-language summary of its purpose and scope. Part 2 addresses the composition of the Council — 42 elected Members across 18 wards — and sets out the rights and duties of Members, including their obligations under the Nolan Principles of Public Life. Part 3 defines the reserved functions of Full Council, including budget setting, constitutional amendments, and the appointment of the Chief Executive.
Parts 4 and 5 establish the Executive arrangements, detailing the Cabinet’s structure and the responsibilities of the eight Portfolio Holders appointed for 2026, alongside the regulatory and scrutiny committee framework. Part 6 addresses the role of officers, with particular emphasis on the statutory responsibilities of the Chief Executive as Head of Paid Service. Parts 7 and 8 set out the principles of decision-making and the financial and contract procedure rules respectively.
The Constitution is subject to annual review and can only be amended by Full Council resolution, providing a robust safeguard against arbitrary changes to governance arrangements. Its publication in full on the Council website reflects the Council’s commitment to open and transparent democratic governance.