Local Democracy - Council Constitution

Local democracy is literally 'government by the people, for the people' in which power is vested in the people and is exercised by elections of representatives of the people.

It is, therefore, the expression by which local people can participate in the politics and governance of their own communities. The only mechanism for representing local people in this way is Local Government, commonly referred to as the 'Local Council'.

The role and purpose of local democracy is to ensure that people know that their local Council has elected Councillors and makes decisions, that there are meetings, that the Council has powers, but much of the detail may not be clear to a number of people; for instance:-

• How are decisions made?
• What is the Cabinet?
• Who makes decisions on planning applications?
• Who keeps a check on decisions and makes sure Councillors do their job properly?
• Can the public attend these meetings?
• What can and can't the Council do?

The Council has a document, which explains all of this and more. This document is called the 'Council Constitution'.

The Council Constitution brings together in one volume how the Council operates, how and by whom decisions are made and the procedures that are followed to ensure that all of this is efficient, transparent, and accountable to local people. Some of these explanations and procedures are required by the Law, whilst others are matters for the Council to decide.

The Constitution comprises two principal documents:-

• An overview and description of the main provisions of the Constitution;
• A description of the responsibilities of elected Councillors [politicians] serving on the Council and its committees and those of the officers or staff [not politicians].

The document is introduced by a message from the Chief Executive Officer of the Council and is supplemented by a number of attachments which are referred to in the main text of the document.

There are no fees or charges when viewing the Constitution on line.

A copy of the Constitution can also be viewed in the Borough Secretary's Department at the Town Hall.

The 'New Council Constitutions: Guidance to English Local Authorities' is available online. 

For further information contact:-

Principal Policy & Co-ordination Officer
Chief Executive's Department
Town Hall
Barnsley
Tel: (01226) 773444
Email: Policy Co-ordinator 

Location Map of Barnsley Town Hall