Article 16 - Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution

16.01  Suspension of the Constitution

(a) The Articles of this Constitution may not be suspended.

(b) Parts 3, 5 and 6 of this Constitution may not be suspended.

(c) Procedure Rules in Part 4 of this Constitution may be suspended by the Council or (in relation to its own business) by the Executive or by a committee, but only to the extent permitted by law, and the extent and duration of any suspension must be proportionate to the result to be achieved. 

(d) A motion to suspend any Procedure Rule(s) will not be moved unless either:

¨ the motion is included on the agenda for the meeting; or

¨ the suspension is proposed in a written report which relates to an item on the agenda for the meeting; or

¨ at least half of the number of Councillors entitled to be present at the meeting are present when the proposal is made.

16.02  Interpretation

The ruling of the Chair of the Council as to the construction or application of this Constitution or as to any proceedings of the Council shall not be challenged at any meeting of the Council. Such interpretation will have regard to the purposes of this Constitution contained in Article 1.

16.03  Publication

(a) The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services will maintain the Constitution of the authority at County Hall, and will ensure that copies are maintained on the Council’s Intranet and its website. 

(b)        The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services will ensure that copies are available for inspection at council offices, libraries and other appropriate locations, and that hard copies can be purchased by members of the local press and the public on payment of a reasonable fee.

(c)        The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services will ensure that the summary and explanation of the Constitution is made widely available within the area and is updated as necessary.