Governance & Policies
Standing Orders
These are the written rules of the local council. They are used to confirm a council’s internal organisational, administrative and procurement procedures and procedural matters for meetings.
A council may make standing orders for the regulation of their proceedings and business and may vary or revoke any such orders (Local Government Act 1972, sch 12, para 42).
This means that Standing Orders make up a document of ‘rules’ for a council to follow. Some of these ‘rules’ are laid down in law and these are in bold, these must not be removed or changed. Other orders, not in bold, are rules to support the governance of a council – how it is organised and administered. Standing Orders may refer to other council policies or regulations which give greater detail about specific items such as Financial Regulations and Data Protection Policy.
Standing Orders inform officers, councillors and the public. They ensure that actions taken by the council are legal, logical, consistent and transparent and they support the internal control of a council i.e. its financial strength.
