The Constitution of Ealing Council was scheduled for discussion at the meeting on Tuesday 21 April 2026. The report pack provided to attendees outlined the various chapters and rules that govern the council's operations, decision-making processes, and the conduct of its members and officers.

The Council's Constitution

The primary focus of the meeting was the Ealing Council's Constitution, a document that details how the council operates, makes decisions, and ensures accountability to local residents. The Constitution is divided into chapters, covering a wide range of governance areas.

Introduction to the Constitution

Chapter 1 of the Constitution provides a summary and explanation of its purpose, outlining how it is managed, the roles and functions of councillors, the decision-making framework, citizens' rights, and the handling of finance, contracts, and legal matters, as well as the roles of officers. It emphasizes the council's commitment to providing leadership, making effective and transparent decisions, and upholding high standards of conduct.

Management of the Constitution

Chapter 2 details the management of the Constitution, including the council's powers, its purpose, and the procedures for interpretation and changes. It outlines that significant changes to the Constitution can only be made by the full Council, while the Monitoring Officer has delegated powers to make minor amendments. The rules also cover the suspension of certain procedural rules and the publication of the Constitution.

Roles and Functions of Councillors

Chapter 3 outlines the roles and functions of councillors, including their composition, eligibility, election terms, and key responsibilities. It details their collective role as policy makers, their duty to represent their communities, handle casework, and maintain high standards of conduct. The chapter also touches upon their rights to access information and their entitlement to allowances.

Decision Making

Chapter 4 addresses the principles of decision-making within the council. It outlines the responsibility for decision-making, reserving certain functions for the full Council and defining key decisions based on their financial or community impact. The chapter details the principles of proportionality, due consultation, respect for human rights, and openness that should guide all council decisions.

Citizens' Rights

Chapter 5 focuses on the rights of citizens in their dealings with the Council. These include the right to vote, sign petitions, access information (such as attending meetings, viewing forward plans, and inspecting accounts), participate in council proceedings, and complain through various channels, including to the Council itself, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, and the Monitoring Officer. The chapter also mentions the appointment of a Citizens' Tribunal.

Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters

Chapter 6 covers the financial management, contracts, and legal proceedings of the Council. It states that financial affairs are managed according to Financial Procedure Rules, and all contracts must comply with Contract Procedure Rules. It also outlines the authority for instituting legal proceedings and the authentication of documents.

Officers

Chapter 7 details the management structure and the roles of officers within the Council. It lists the various Strategic Directors and their responsibilities, as well as the statutory officers: the Chief Executive (Head of Paid Service), Strategic Director of Resources (Chief Finance Officer), and Director of Legal and Democratic Services (Monitoring Officer). The chapter also outlines the duties of the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer, and Chief Finance Officer, emphasizing their roles in ensuring lawfulness, fairness, and financial prudence.

The Full Council

Chapter 2, specifically section 8, defines the role and functions of the Full Council. This includes adopting and changing the Constitution, approving the Policy Framework and Budget, appointing the Leader, establishing committees, and making decisions on matters reserved to the Council by law. Section 9 details the Council Procedure Rules for annual, ordinary, and extraordinary meetings, including rules on questions, motions, debate, and voting. Section 10 outlines the roles and functions of the Mayor of the Council.

The Leader and the Executive

Chapter 3 outlines the roles of the Leader and the Cabinet. The Leader is responsible for executive functions not assigned elsewhere and can delegate these to the cabinet, cabinet committees, individual members, or officers. The chapter details the composition of the Cabinet, the election and role of the Leader and Deputy Leader, and the assignment of portfolios to other Cabinet Members. It also covers Cabinet Procedure Rules, including who may speak and vote, and the process for making cabinet decisions.

Committees

Chapter 5 outlines the various committees and sub-committees of the Council, categorised into regulatory, advisory, and joint consultative committees. It details the appointment of committees, their terms of office, and their specific terms of reference. This includes committees such as the Audit Committee, Licensing Committee, Planning Committee, and Standards Committee, each with distinct responsibilities.

Access to Information Procedure Rules

Chapter 6 details the Access to Information Procedure Rules, emphasizing a presumption of openness. It outlines the public's rights to attend meetings, access agendas and reports before meetings, and obtain copies of documents. It also specifies the rules for the exclusion of the public from meetings and reports when confidential or exempt information is likely to be disclosed.

Ethical Governance

Chapter 7 covers Ethical Governance, including the Code of Conduct for Members, which sets out general principles of conduct such as selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership. It also includes specific codes for members in relation to licensing and planning matters, a Member/Officer relations protocol, and a Corporate Code of Governance.

Finance and Contract Rules

Chapter 9 details the Finance and Contract Rules. The Financial Regulations outline the purpose, context, compliance, scope, maintenance, and interpretation of these regulations, along with the roles and responsibilities of various officers and members in financial management. The Contract Procedure Rules set out the procedures for entering into contracts, ensuring competition, and managing contracts to achieve value for money.

Officer Employment Rules

Chapter 10 outlines the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, covering recruitment, appointment, disciplinary action, and dismissal of officers. It details the procedures for appointing the Head of Paid Service and Chief Officers, emphasizing consultation with the Cabinet and the role of the Employment Panel.

Members Allowances Scheme

Chapter 11 details the Members' Allowances Scheme for 2025/26, outlining the types of allowances payable, including basic, special responsibility, travel, carers', and subsistence allowances. It specifies the rates, conditions for payment, and the process for claiming and reviewing these allowances.

The report pack provided a comprehensive overview of the council's governance framework, intended to ensure that all discussions and decisions align with established legal requirements and best practices for transparency and accountability.