Contact:
  • Democratic Services
  • Address:
    Floor 4, Riverside, Temple Street, Keynsham BS31 1LA
  • E-mail:
    democratic_services@bathnes.gov.uk
  • Telephone:
    01225 39 4360
  • Fax:
    01225 39 4439
  • Minicom:
    n/a
  • Page Updated:
    18/09/2008
  • Author:
    Mike Curtis
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The Council's Constitution

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation (continuation)

OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY ARRANGEMENTS

The Council at its Annual Meeting will appoint at least one Overview and Scrutiny Panel. Overview and Scrutiny Panels allow citizens to have a greater say in Council matters by holding public inquiries into some matters of local concern.  These lead to reports and recommendations to the Cabinet and to the Council as a whole on its policies, budget and service delivery.  Overview and scrutiny bodies also monitor the decisions of the Council Executive and other executive persons/bodies. 

THE COUNCIL’S STAFF

The Council has people working for it (called ‘officers’) to give advice, implement decisions and manage the day-to-day delivery of its services. Some officers have a specific duty to ensure that the Council acts within the law and uses its resources wisely.  A protocol governs the relationships between officers and members of the council.  This protocol is included within the Constitution.

CITIZENS’ RIGHTS

Citizens have a number of rights in their dealings with the Council. These are set out in more detail in Article 3.  Some of these are legal rights, while others are given at the discretion of the Council, depending on the Council’s own processes. The local Citizens’ Advice Bureau can advise on individuals’ legal rights.

Where members of the public use specific council services, for example as a parent of a school pupil or as a council tenant, they may have additional rights.  These are not covered in this Constitution. Details of such rights may be obtained from Council service points (including “Council Connect”) or directly from the service concerned.

The Council welcomes participation by its citizens in its work.  For further information on your rights as a citizen, please contact the Democratic Services Team on 01225 394458 or e-mail to: democratic_services@bathnes.gov.uk.  An information leaflet is available setting out the Council’s public access rights and procedures which are also set out in Part 4B of this constitution.