About the Council Constitution

Ards and North Down Borough Council is required, under Section 2 of the Local Government Act (Northern Ireland) 2014, to prepare and maintain an up-to-date constitution. 

The purpose of the constitution is to:

(a)  enable the Council to provide clear leadership to the community, in partnership with citizens, businesses and other organisations;

(b)  support the active involvement of citizens in the process of Council decision-making;

(c)  help Councillors represent their constituents more effectively;

(d)  enable decisions to be taken efficiently and effectively;

(e)  create a powerful and effective means of holding decision-makers to public account;

(f)  ensure that no one will review or scrutinise a decision in which they were directly involved;

(g)  ensure that those responsible for decision-making are clearly identifiable to local people and that the decision-makers explain the reasons for decisions; and

(h)  provide a means of improving the delivery of services to the community.