The management of the Council’s financial affairs will be conducted in accordance with the financial framework and rules set out in Part 4 of this Constitution.

Every contract made by the Council will comply with the Contracts Procedure Rules set out in Part 4 of this Constitution.

The Head of Law and Corporate Governance is authorised to institute, defend or participate in any legal proceedings in any case where such action is necessary to give effect to decisions of the Council or in any case where the Head of Law and Corporate Governance considers that such action is necessary to protect the Council’s interests. (See also the Scheme of Delegation to Officers)

Where any document is necessary to any legal procedure or proceedings on behalf of the Council, it will be signed by the Head of Law and Corporate Governance or other person authorised by him or her, unless any enactment otherwise authorises or requires, or the Council has given requisite authority to some other person.

Any contract with a value exceeding £25,000 entered into on behalf of the Council in the course of the discharge of an Executive function shall be made in writing. Such contracts must either be signed by The Head of Law and Corporate Governance or one of the persons referred to in Article 14.5 below or made under the Common Seal of the Council attested by at least one of the persons referred to in Article 14.5 below. (See also Contract Procedure Rules)

The Common Seal of the Council will be kept in a safe place in the custody of the Head of Law and Corporate Governance. A decision of the Council, the Cabinet or a Statutory Board (in accordance with the delegation of Executive functions) will be sufficient authority for sealing any document necessary to give effect to the decision. The Common Seal of the Council will be affixed to those documents that, in the opinion of the Head of Law and Corporate Governance, should be sealed. The affixing of the Common Seal will be attested by one of either the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor, the Chief Executive, the Head of Law and Corporate Governance or, in their absence, a Corporate Director.