The Constitution of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Committee met on Thursday 5 February 2026. The primary focus of the meeting was the review and potential adoption of the Council's Constitution, a foundational document outlining its operational framework and decision-making processes. The report pack provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed Constitution, detailing its various parts, articles, codes, and protocols.

The Council's Constitution

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the entirety of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames' Constitution. This document serves as the rulebook for how the Council operates, detailing the roles and responsibilities of councillors and officers, the procedures for making decisions, and the rights of residents.

The Constitution is divided into several parts:

• Part 1 – Introduction: This section provides an overview of how the Council operates, outlines the key components of the Constitution, and details the rights of members of the public.
• Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution: This part sets out the different bodies within the council and describes their roles and responsibilities. It includes articles on the Constitution itself, members of the Council, members of the public and the Council, Council meetings, the Chairing of the Council, Standing Committees, Standards, Neighbourhood Committees, Joint Arrangements, Officers, Decision Making, Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters, Review and Revision of the Constitution, and Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution.
• Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions: This part details how the Council's functions are allocated and which decision-making body or person is responsible for making specific decisions. It includes sections on Terms of Reference for various committees and a Scheme of Delegations.
• Part 4 – Procedural Rules: This part outlines the detailed procedural rules followed in decision-making, covering the conduct of meetings, access to information, the call-in and petition schemes, Council contracts, financial responsibilities, and officer employment rules.
• Part 5 – Codes and Protocols: This part sets out the codes and protocols governing the conduct of Members and Officers, including Member and Employee Codes of Conduct, Member/Officer Protocols, Planning Protocols, and Leader/Chief Executive Protocols.
• Part 6 – Members' Allowances Scheme: This part details the allowances paid to the Mayor, councillors, and co-opted members to cover the costs of 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 detailed version control log, showing the history of revisions made to the Constitution, with the latest update scheduled for 5 February 2026. The document aimed to ensure that the Council's decision-making processes are efficient, transparent, and accountable to residents.