Council governance
< Back to Article Listh. Standing Orders
Last updated: 18 November 2024 at 15:24:18 UTC by Jim Friend
Paragraph 42, Schedule 12, Local Government Act 1972, allows councils to make standing orders for the regulation of proceedings and business, and to vary or revoke any such orders.
NALC have produced a set of model standing orders which it is recommended councils adopt. Those that are in bold contain statutory requirements and it is recommended that councils adopt them without alteration.
Model standing orders not in bold are designed to help councils operate effectively but do not contain statutory requirements, so may be adopted as drafted or amended to suit a council’s needs. Model standing orders contain options and values which the councils need to complete when adopting.
A significant change to the law or council policy could require a change to existing standing orders at any time.
Normally, however, it will be sufficient to review them annually, and model SO 5J includes such a review to be conducted at each annual meeting.All or part of a particular standing order can be suspended by resolution (SO 26), except one relating to legal requirements. A motion to suspend an order can be made at a meeting without written notice (model SO 10a xv).