Council Constitution

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

Article 2 - The Council

2.1 Composition and Eligibility

1. The Council will comprise 57 Members, otherwise called Councillors. Three Councillors will be elected by the voters of each Ward in accordance with a scheme drawn up by the Local Government Commission and approved by the Secretary of State.
    
2. Only registered voters of the Tameside Metropolitan Borough or those living or working in the Borough will be eligible to hold the office of Councillor.

2.2 Election and Terms of Office of Councillors

The ordinary Election of a third of all Councillors will be held on the first Thursday in May in each year. However, in 2009 and every fourth year after, there will be no regular election. The terms of office of Councillors will usually be four years starting on the fourth day after being elected and finishing on the fourth day after the date of the regular election four years later.

2.3 Roles and Functions of All Councillors

2.3.1 Key Roles

All Councillors will:-

1. collectively be the ultimate policy-makers, and carry out a number of strategic and corporate management functions;
2. represent their communities and bring their views into the Council's decision-making process, i.e. be the advocate of, and for, their communities;
3. deal with individual casework, and act as an advocate for constituents in resolving particular concerns or grievances;
4. balance different interests identified within the Ward and represent the Ward as a whole;
5. be involved in decision making, including that associated with their role in District Assemblies;
6. be available to represent the Council on other bodies;
7. maintain the highest standards of conduct and ethics; and
8. take part in Member development and training.

2.3.2 Rights and Duties

1. Councillors will have rights of access to such documents, information, land and buildings of the Council as are necessary for the proper discharge of their functions and in accordance with the law;
2. Councillors will not make public, information which is confidential or exempt without the consent of the Council, or divulge information given in confidence to anyone other than a Councillor or Officer entitled to know it; and
3. for these purposes, “confidential” and “exempt” information are defined in the Access to Information Rules.  (Part 4(e) of this Constitution).

2.4 Conduct

Councillors will at all times observe the Members’ Code of Conduct and the Protocol on Member/Officer Relations and comply with any reasonable request of the Council’s Standards Committee.

2.5 Allowances

Councillors will be entitled to receive allowances in accordance with the Members Allowances Scheme as recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel pursuant to the Local Government Act 1989 and regulations made there under.