Article 14 - Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters

14.01  Financial management

The management of the Council’s financial affairs will be conducted in accordance with the Financial Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of this Constitution.

14.02  Contracts

Every contract made by the Council will comply either with the Procurement and Contract Procedure Rules or Property Procedure Rules (set out in Part 4 of this Constitution) as appropriate.

14.03  Legal proceedings

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services is authorised to institute, defend or participate in any legal proceedings in any case where such action is necessary to give effect to decisions of the Council or in any case where the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services considers that such action is necessary to protect the Council’s interests.

14.04  Authentication of documents

Where any document is necessary to any legal procedure or proceedings on behalf of the Council, it will be signed by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services or other person authorised by them, unless any enactment otherwise authorises or requires, or the Council has given requisite authority to some other person.

14.05  Common Seal of the Council

The Common Seal of the Council will be kept in a safe place in the custody of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services. A decision of the Council, or of any person or body exercising delegated power, will be sufficient authority for sealing any document necessary to give effect to the decision. The Common Seal will be affixed to those documents which in the opinion of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services should be sealed. The affixing of the Common Seal will be attested by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services or some other person authorised by them.