The constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

To view South Hams District Council's constitution please click on the links below:

Constitution Index

Part 1 - Summary and Explanation

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

• Article 1 - The Constitution
• Article 2 - Members of the Council
• Article 3 - Citizens and the Council
• Article 4 - The Full Council
• Article 5 - Chairing the Council
• Article 6 - Scrutiny and Policy Development Groups
• Article 7 - The Executive
• Article 8 - Regulatory and Other Bodies
• Article 9 - The Standards Committee
• Article 10 - Audit Committee and Salcombe Harbour Board
• Article 11 - Joint Arrangements
• Article 12 - Officers
• Article 13 - Decision Making
• Article 14 - Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters
• Article 15 - Review and Revision of the Constitution
• Article 16 - Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution
• Schedule 1 - Description of Executive Arrangements

Part 3 - Responsibility for Functions

• Responsibility for Functions
• Scheme of Delegations

Part 4 - Rules of Procedure

• Council Procedure Rules
• Access to Information Procedure Rules
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
• Executive Procedure Rules
• Scrutiny and Policy Development Group Procedure Rules
• Rules for Other Bodies of the Council
• Financial Procedure Rules
• Contract Procedure Rules
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols

• Members' Code of Conduct
• Members' Planning Code of Practice
• Officers' Code of Conduct
• Protocol on Councillor/Officer Relations

Part 6 - Members' Allowances Scheme

Part 7 - Management Structure