Constitutional Governance

As with any other type of public body the Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Authority can only do those things for which it has a statutory duty (it must do) or a statutory power (it may do). In relation to general governance, the main statutes are the Local Government Act 1972, the Local Government and Housing Act 1989 and the Localism Act 2011. It is from these statutes that the Authority derives its governance documents such as:

• Standing Orders (which address how meetings are conducted)
• Members' Code of Conduct (dealing with Members' behaviour and personal interests in matters) and;
  
• Committee Structure.

Copies of the Authority's constitutional framework governance documents can be found through the following links:

• Roles and Responsibilities
  
  
• Standing Orders
  
  
• Financial Regulations
  
  
• Treasury Management Policy
  
  
• Contract Standing Orders
  
  
• Scheme of Delegations
  
  
• Members' Code of Conduct
  
  
• Protocol for Member/Officer Relations
  
  
• Policy on Gifts and Hospitality
  
  
• Scheme of Members Allowances
  
  
• Corporate Governance Code
  
  
• 'Whistleblowing Code' (Confidential Reporting Policy)
  
  
• Strategy on the Prevention and Detection of Fraud and Corruption
  
  
• Code of Recommended Practice on Local Authority Publicity

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