Council Constitution

The Constitution has the important purpose of providing a guide for local people, businesses and other organisations to understand how the council's decision-making works. It is also a handbook for the councillors and staff who are directly involved in the business of the council. The Constitution has been formally approved by the council and will be kept under review and updated from time to time.

The governance model plan (pdf format, 526Kb) shows how governance at Oxfordshire County Council works  subject to the provisions of the Constitution

Constitution contents

• Contents (18 November 2024) (pdf format, 99 KB)

Part 1 - Introduction

1.1  The Constitution (1 October 2024)
1.2  How OCC Operates (24 April 2024)
1.3  Decision Making (10 April 2024)

Part 2 - Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service (October 2022)

Part 3 - Council

3.1 Council Procedure Rules (30 October 2024)
3.1A  Virtual Meeting Procedure Rules (3 April 2024)
3.2 Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules (30 April 2024)
3.3 Virement Rules (3 April 2024)
3.4 “Local Choice” Functions (9 December 2014)
3.5 Agency, Partnership and Joint Agreements (21 May 2024)

Part 4 - Cabinet

4.1 Membership of Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet (21 May 2024)
4.2 Cabinet Procedure Rules (10 April 2024)
4.3 Cabinet Committees (pdf format, 10 April 2024)
4.4 Delegated Decisions by Individual Cabinet Members (10 April 2024)
4.5 Cabinet Advisory Groups (pdf format, 10 April 2024)
4.6 Transport Advisory Panel (10 April 2024)

Part 5 - Committees and sub-committees

5.1A  Membership of Committees and Sub-Committees
5.1B Health and Wellbeing board
5.1C Remuneration Committee (21 May 2024)
5.1D  Membership of Other Committees

Part 6 - Overview and scrutiny committees

6.1A  Overview and Scrutiny Committees (9 July 2024)
6.1B  Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee (18 November 2024)
6.2 Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules (22 April 2024)
6.3 Protocol on Scrutiny Participation (22 April 2024)

Part 7 - Scheme of delegation to officers

7.1 Officers (16 April 2024)
7.2 Scheme of Delegation to Officers (21 May 2024)

Part 8 - Other procedure rules

8.1 Access to Information Procedure Rules (18 November 2024)
8.2 Financial Procedure Rules
8.3 Contract Procedure Rules (3 January 2025)
8.4 Officer Employment Procedure Rules (18 November 2024)
8.5 Members Champion Role Guidance Notes (23 May 2024) 

• Annex 1 – Procedure to be Complied with in Respect of Dismissal of Senior Officers
• Annex 2 (23 May 2024) – Protocol for Employees Working Part-time and/or Temporarily for, or providing Consultancy to, other Bodies or Councils
• Annex 3 (18 November 2024) – Senior Posts and Proposed Appointor

Part 9 - Codes and protocols

9.1 Members’ Code of Conduct (including appendices) (5 April 2022)

• Appendix A (5 April 2022) – The Seven Principles of Public Life
• Appendix B (5 April 2022) – Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
• Appendix C (5 April 2022) – Disclosure of Other Registrable Interests

9.2 Protocol on Members Rights and Responsibilities (24 May 2024)
9.3 Councillor Call for Action (CCfA) – Guidance for Members
9.4 Policy on IT Use by Members of County Council
9.5 Members’ Planning Code of Practic (24 May 2024)
9.6 Protocol on Member/Officer Relations (October 2022)
9.7 Officers’ Code of Conduct (24 May 2024)
9.8 Protocol on Consultation with Employees (9 December 2014)

Part 10 - Members’ allowances

10.1 Members’ Allowances (22 October 2022)