Constitution
Our Constitution sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.
The Constitution is divided into 16 articles which set out the basic rules governing the council's business. More detailed procedures and codes of practice are provided in separate rules and protocols set out in Section 5.
View the Constitution [PDF, 1.5MB]
Decision-making structure
We operate an 'Executive Leader and Cabinet' model of decision-making. Under this model, the executive leader, appoints their own deputy executive leader and cabinet, which comprises seven other councillors.
The council has a range of non-executive decisions that need to be taken, for example, determining planning and licensing applications. These decisions are delegated to the Development Management Committee, Licensing, and Protection Committee and the Licensing Committee
View information on councillors.
Cabinet
All cabinet members are members of the Joint Administration. The executive leader chairs meetings of the cabinet which usually meets on the third or fourth Tuesday of every month (except in August). They start at 7pm in the Civic Suite at Pathfinder House. These meetings are open to the public. The agenda, reports and minutes are also publicly available on ModernGov.
Each member of the cabinet has responsibility for a number of council services.
The cabinet takes most day-to-day decisions in line with the policy and strategic framework approved by the council. Part 3 of the Constitution [PDF, 1.5MB] describes which decisions can be taken by the cabinet and which can be delegated to council officers.
We publish a Notice of Key Executive Decisions each month. This contains a list of significant or key decisions expected to be taken by the cabinet in the future. These decisions often relate to matters which are likely to incur significant expenditure, result in significant savings or affect those living and working in two or more wards. It also details forthcoming decisions that are expected to be taken in private.
Council
All councillors meet as ‘full council’ five times a year. These meetings are open to the public. The full council is responsible for the policy and strategic framework. It agrees the budget and Council Tax, elects the executive leader and appoints the managing director and other members to the council's committees and other panels.
View council agendas and minutes
Overview and scrutiny
Overview and Scrutiny Panels aim to improve the council’s performance by monitoring, questioning and making recommendations on the way services are provided and decisions are taken.
There are two panels, each of which is made up of 12 council members.
The panels have an important role in the executive decision-making by holding the cabinet to account. This involves ensuring that decisions taken by the cabinet are appropriate and within the council’s policy and financial framework.
If any three members of a relevant panel feel that a decision is inappropriate or contrary to policy or the budget, they can “call the decision in”. This must be done within five days of the decision being made to prevent it from being implemented. They will then discuss the matter formally with the relevant cabinet member and officer and, if necessary, make recommendations to the decision-maker to reconsider or amend their decision.
The panels also carry out detailed, evidence-based assessments of council services or wider issues that affect the lives of local people. At the end of each study, a panel will report with recommendations as to how things could be improved. Much of their work involves the detailed examination of key council plans and policies, both before and after they have been approved.
View panel agendas and minutes
Other committees and panels
The council has a range of non-executive decisions that need to be taken, for example, determining planning and licensing applications. These decisions are delegated to the Development Management Committee and the Licensing Committee.
The council has also established a Corporate Governance Committee which oversees governance arrangements and the standards of conduct of members. The Committee publishes an annual report [PDF, 85KB]
Attending Council and Committee Meetings
Huntingdonshire District Council welcomes members of the public to attend meetings that are open to the public.
Members of the public may attend, film, photograph, and report on meetings that are open to the public. *
In some circumstances, a meeting may resolve to exclude the public and press to consider confidential or exempt information. Where this occurs, members of the public and press will be asked to leave the meeting room for that part of the meeting.
Most public meetings are webcast live, and recordings are available afterwards. This means you do not need to attend in person to follow proceedings.
The council permits public speaking at the Development Management Committee (planning) meetings.
View further information about public speaking at Development Management Committees [PDF, 0.5MB]
The council permits public questions at full council meetings. View further information about submitting a question [PDF, 0.1MB].
Public access and seating
Meetings that are open to the public can be attended by anyone.
Seating in public areas is limited. Where demand exceeds the number of seats available, admission will be managed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given in the following order:
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People who live, work or own property within the Huntingdonshire District
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Other interested members of the public.
This means that attendees within each priority group will be admitted in the order they arrive, subject to the number of seats available.
Reserved seating
Council Meetings - If you have registered in advance to ask a public question at a meeting of Full Council in accordance with the Council's Constitution [PDF, 1.5MB], a seat will be reserved for you.
Development Management, Licensing and Other Regulatory Hearings - If you have registered to speak or make representations in relation to an application or matter being considered by the Committee, a seat will be reserved for you.
You do not need to arrive early to secure your place.
When seating is full
Once all public seats are occupied, no further admission will be possible.
Standing is not permitted in meeting rooms. Additional seating cannot normally be provided, except where required as a reasonable adjustment for accessibility needs, including carers or support workers.
For meetings of the Development Management Committee, Licensing Committee and other regulatory hearings, priority will be given to applicants, objectors, registered speakers and other parties directly involved in agenda items.
Arrival, sign-in and security
All visitors must sign in on arrival.
If attendance is expected to exceed capacity, you may be asked to provide evidence that you live, work or own property within the Huntingdonshire District so that seating priority can be allocated fairly. In these circumstances, we would request a photographic ID and evidence of your address or work premises
We recommend bringing only essential items.
Bags and personal belongings may be subject to security checks. Where necessary, security staff may also conduct further searches.
These arrangements apply equally to all public attending and are intended to help ensure meetings can take place safely and without disruption.
Any personal information collected as part of the sign-in process will be used only for meeting management and safety purposes in accordance with the Council's Privacy Notice. Information will be retained no longer than is necessary.
Items not permitted
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Placards, banners, flags or similar items
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Knives, scissors or other sharp objects
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Whistles, air horns, loudhailers or other noise-making devices
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Bottles or other containers containing liquids, except drinking water intended for personal use during the meeting
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Any item that security staff reasonably believe could compromise safety or disrupt the meeting.
If you wish to bring large or specialist equipment into the meeting, such as recording equipment, please contact Democratic Services in advance via email to help avoid delays when entering the meeting.
Behaviour at meetings
Everyone attending a meeting is expected to treat others with courtesy and respect. Any form of verbal or physical abuse will not be tolerated. Anyone presenting such behaviour will be asked to leave immediately.
Accessibility
If you have any accessibility requirements, it would be helpful to contact Democratic Services before the meeting so we can fully support you.
Speaking at a meeting or asking a question
Members of the public may ask questions at meetings of Full Council.
Members of the public may also speak or make representations at meetings of the Development Management Committee, Licensing Committee, and other regulatory hearings where public participation arrangements apply.
Please note that this must be arranged in advance in accordance with the Council’s Constitution.
Feedback
If you have concerns about how these arrangements were applied at a meeting, please contact Democratic Services.
Legal framework
* Public access to meetings, and the right to film, photograph, record and report proceedings, are governed by legislation including the Local Government Act 1972, Local Authorities (Executive Arrangements) (Meetings and Access to Information) (England) Regulations 2012, Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and Openness of Local Government Bodies Regulations 2014.