Who we are and what we do

This section of our Publication Scheme directs you to information about our:

  • organisation
  • our structures
  • locations
  • contact details

The information will be current, unless stated otherwise.

Council Constitution

These are documents we are required to bring together and make available for public inspection under the Local Government Act 2000. The Constitution, and all its appendices, is the Constitution of the Southend-on-Sea City Council.

An overview of the Constitution including all parts can be found on our Democracy website.

Part 1 - Summary and explanation of the Constitution

This covers:

  • what the Constitution includes,
  • how the Council operates,
  • how decisions are made,
  • scrutiny
  • Advisory Forums and Panels
  • The Council's Staff
  • Public Rights

Part 2 - Articles of the Constitution

This covers:

  • Article 1 - the Constitution, powers of the Council, purpose of the Constitution
  • Article 2 - the Membership of the Council and the relationship with members of the public
  • Article 3 - rights of members of the public and citizen responsibility
  • Article 4 - the role of the Council, functions of full Council and their terms of reference, Council meetings
  • Article 5 - chairing the Council meeting
  • Article 6 - the role and function of scrutiny committees
  • Article 7 - the role and operation of the executive, including the Leader and other cabinet members
  • Article 8 - Regulatory and other committees
  • Article 9 - the role, function and composition of the Standards Committee
  • Article 10 - forums and working parties
  • Article 11 - joint arrangements - ??
  • Article 12 - Officers - the management structure, functions of the Head of paid service, monitoring officer and Chief Finance Officer, officer conduct,
  • Article 13 - Decision making - the responsibility for decision making, the principles, types of decisions and decision making by various bodies
  • Article 14 - Finance and Contracts
  • Article 15 - Review and revisions of the Constitution
  • Article 16 - Suspension, Interpretation and publication of the Constitution
  • Schedule 1 - Description of Executive Arrangements

Part 3 - Responsibility and functions

This covers:

Part 3: Schedule 1(a)

  • The Portfolios,
  • Joint Arrangements entered into by the Council.

Part 3: Schedule 2

The Constitution and terms of reference of Cabinet, Committees, Health and wellbeing Board, and other specified Forums, Panels and Bodies.

Part 3: Schedule 3 - Delegation to Officers

This covers:

  • the extent to which executive and non-executive functions are delegated to Chief Officers or Other Officers
  • the Statutory and Proper Officers
  • General Delegations to Chief Officers and Other Officers
  • Special Schemes of Delegation

Part 4 - Council procedure rules

Part 5 - Codes and Protocols

Part 6 - Councillors Allowances Scheme

Part 7 - Composition of the Council and Management Structure

This covers:

  • Scheme of elections
  • Current Councillors, the Wards they represent, their Terms of Office and the Committees they sit on
  • Cabinet Members
  • Committee of the Cabinet
  • Committees and their membership
  • Health and Wellbeing Board membership
  • The Council's management structure
  • Structure and Function by Executive Directorate

Remote Meetings - amendments to meeting protocols for local authorities during coronavirus (up to 7 May 2021), covers:

A copy of the full Constitution is available for download.

Council democratic structure

The Democracy website provides a wide range of information and documents about how the Council operates.

Organisational Chart

This is information about the staffing structure of our organisation.

Full details can be found on our Chief Executive and Corporate Leadership team page.

Our top-level organisational structure is available to view as:

This information is updated every six months and is a snapshot of our organisational structure at the date of publication. As a large organisation our staffing position changes frequently. Please be aware that the position shown may not reflect the situation at the time of viewing.

Gender pay gap reporting

Under the Equality Act 2010, we report yearly on our gender pay gap.

Currently elected councillors' information and contact details

Information about each of our councillors can be found on our Democracy website. This includes their:

  • name
  • position on the council
  • how they can be contacted

Contact details for our customer facing departments

Details can be found on our Contact us page.

This includes the:

  • the role of the contact
  • phone number
  • email address

Most recent election results

These are available to view on our Election results page.

Past elections results are also available to view on this page.

Relationships with other authorities

Information about us and our role as a Unitary Local Authority can be found on our About us page.

We work with organisations which are independent from the council but have an impact on our service areas. A list of these outside bodies can be found on our Democracy website. Following the links will provide details of our representative on the body concerned.

As a Unitary Local Authority we are responsible for appointing and providing services for a Returning Officer for election purposes. Our returning officer is the Chief Executive.

The delivery of the local registration service is a shared responsibility between the:

  • local authority and,
  • the Registrar General (head of the General Register Office)

To find out more, visit our Registration service information page.

The Council's Monitoring Officer has statutory duties and powers such as:

  • advising on the council's Constitution
  • ensuring lawfulness and fairness of decision making
  • promoting high standards of conduct

They support the Standards Committee and manage the process for the investigation of complaints against Councillors. Our Monitoring Officer is the Director of Legal.

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