The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council met on Friday 17 July 2026 to discuss its Constitution. The meeting's agenda focused entirely on the review and potential revision of the council's governing document, which outlines how the council operates, makes decisions, and engages with the public.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Constitution

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the Constitution of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames. This comprehensive document serves as the rulebook for the council's operations and decision-making processes. The report pack provided attendees with a detailed breakdown of the Constitution's various parts, which include:

• Part 1: Introduction: This section offers an overview of the council's operational framework, key constitutional elements, and the rights afforded to members of the public.
• Part 2: Articles of the Constitution: This part details the roles and responsibilities of different council bodies, including provisions for citizen participation in decision-making. It covers articles relating to the Constitution itself, council members, the public's relationship with the council, council meetings, committees, standards, neighbourhood committees, joint arrangements, officers, decision-making processes, and financial and legal matters.
• Part 3: Responsibility for Functions: This section outlines how the council's functions are allocated and which decision-making body or individual holds responsibility for specific decisions. It includes terms of reference for various committees and a scheme of delegations.
• Part 4: Rules of Procedure: This part details the procedural rules governing the council's operations, including meeting procedures, access to information, the call-in procedure for decisions, contract regulations, financial regulations, officer employment rules, and the petition scheme.
• Part 5: Codes and Protocols: This part sets out the codes of conduct for members and officers, as well as protocols governing member-officer relations, planning, and the relationship between the Leader of the Council and the Chief Executive.
• Part 6: Members' Allowances Scheme: This outlines the allowances paid to the Mayor, councillors, and co-opted members to cover the costs associated with their council duties.
• Part 7: Glossary of Terms: This section provides explanations for key terms used throughout the Constitution.

The report pack also included a version control schedule detailing revisions made to the Constitution over time, indicating a history of updates to various parts, including procedural rules, codes of conduct, and the members' allowances scheme. The most recent revision noted was on 14 July 2026, which involved updates to the Responsibility for Functions regarding the disestablishment of the Blue Badge Appeals Panel and the re-establishment of the Health and Wellbeing Board, as well as revisions to procedural rules concerning public questions and the Kingston Partnership Board.