Council Constitution

The Constitution sets out the rules and procedures under which the council operates.

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

Part 1 - Introduction

1.1  The Constitution

1.2  How OCC Operates

1.3  Decision Making

Part 2 - Oxfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

Part 3 - Council

3.1 Council Procedure Rules

3.1A  Virtual Meeting Procedure Rules

3.2 Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules

3.3 Virement Rules

3.4 “Local Choice” Functions

3.5 Agency, Partnership and Joint Agreements

Part 4 - Cabinet

4.1 Membership of Cabinet and Shadow Cabinet

4.2 Cabinet Procedure Rules

4.3 Cabinet Committees

4.4 Delegated Decisions by Individual Cabinet Members

4.5 Cabinet Advisory Groups

4.6 Transport Advisory Panel

Part 5 - Committees and sub-committees

5.1A  Membership of Committees and Sub-Committees

5.1B Health and Wellbeing board

5.1C Remuneration Committee

5.1D  Membership of Other Committees

Part 6 - Overview and scrutiny committees

6.1A  Overview and Scrutiny Committees

6.1B  Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee

6.2 Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules

6.3 Protocol on Scrutiny Participation

Part 7 - Scheme of delegation to officers

7.1 Officers

7.2 Scheme of Delegation to Officers

Part 8 - Other procedure rules

8.1 Access to Information Procedure Rules

8.2 Financial Procedure Rules

8.3 Contract Procedure Rules

8.4 Officer Employment Procedure Rules

8.5 Members Champion Role Guidance Notes 

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

Part 9 - Codes and protocols

9.1 Members’ Code of Conduct (including appendices)

  • Appendix A – The Seven Principles of Public Life
  • Appendix B – Disclosable Pecuniary Interests
  • Appendix C – Disclosure of Other Registrable Interests

9.2 Protocol on Members Rights and Responsibilities

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 Practice

9.6 Protocol on Member/Officer Relations

9.7 Officers’ Code of Conduct

9.8 Protocol on Consultation with Employees

Part 10 - Members’ allowances

10.1 Members’ Allowances