2013-03-27 Constitution PART 8.pdf - Suffolk County Council

3. Functions of Head of Paid Service(a)(b)Discharge of functions by the Council. The Head of PaidService will report to Council on the manner in which thedischarge of the Council’s functions is co-ordinated, thenumber and grade of officers required for the discharge offunctions and the organisation of officers.Restrictions on functions. The Head of Paid Service maynot be the Monitoring Officer but may hold the post of ChiefFinance Officer if a qualified accountant.4. Functions of Monitoring Officer.(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)Maintaining the Constitution. The Monitoring Officer willmaintain an up-to-date version of the Constitution and willensure that it is widely available for consultation by members,staff and the public.Ensuring lawfulness and fairness of decision making.After consulting with the Head of Paid Service and Head ofStrategic Finance, the Monitoring Officer will report to theCouncil in respect of a Council function or to the Cabinet inrelation to an executive function if he or she considers that anyproposal, decision or omission would give rise to unlawfulnessor if any decision or omission has given, or will give, rise tomaladministration. Such a report will have the effect ofstopping the proposal or decision being implemented until thereport has been considered.Supporting the Audit Committee. The Monitoring Officer willcontribute to the promotion and maintenance of high standardsof conduct by members and officers through provision ofsupport to the Audit Committee.Receiving complaints. The Monitoring Officer will receiveand act on complaints received regarding the conduct ofcouncillors, in accordance with the Council’s agreedarrangements.Proper officer for access to information. The MonitoringOfficer will ensure that executive decisions, together with thereasons for those decisions and relevant officer reports andbackground papers are made publicly available as soon aspossible.Providing advice. The Monitoring Officer will provide adviceon the scope of powers and authority to take decisions,maladministration, financial impropriety and probity to allmembers.SCC Constitution\Suffolk County Council\Constitution PART 8 14 March 2013 3