The Westminster City Council Constitution was scheduled for review at the meeting on Wednesday, 17 June 2026. The meeting was intended to cover the adoption and management of the Council's Constitution, which outlines the framework for its operations, decision-making processes, and the roles of elected members and officers.

The Council's Constitution

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the Westminster City Council's Constitution, a document that establishes how the Council operates, makes decisions, and ensures accountability to local people. The Constitution is divided into chapters, detailing the rules governing the Council's business, including its structure, roles, and responsibilities. It commits the Council to delivering its priorities through clear leadership and partnership with local people, businesses, and other stakeholders. The Constitution explains the rights of citizens and the operational framework of key Council components such as Members, citizens, the Council meeting itself, the Leader and Cabinet, committees, joint arrangements, officers, member allowances, and rules, codes, and protocols.

The report pack indicated that the Constitution is composed of several chapters, including:

• Chapter 1: The Constitution: This chapter outlines how the Council operates, the management of the Constitution, the roles and functions of elected members, members of the Council, constitutional rights of residents, decision-making processes, governance including finance, contracts and legal matters, and the roles of officers.
• Chapter 2: Full Council: This section details the functions of the Full Council, including the procedure rules for Council meetings, and responsibility for functions.
• Chapter 3: The Leader and the Cabinet: This chapter covers the executive structure, including the role of the Leader and the Cabinet, their terms of reference, and procedure rules.
• Chapter 4: Policy and Scrutiny: This outlines the framework for policy and scrutiny committees, their procedure rules, and terms of reference.
• Chapter 5: Committees: This chapter details the functions delegated to various committees and sub-committees of the Council, along with their standing orders and terms of reference.
• Chapter 6: Scheme of Delegation to Officers: This section outlines the delegated authority granted to officers within the Council.
• Chapter 7: Ethical Governance: This chapter covers standing orders relating to the holding of office, member conduct, arrangements for dealing with complaints, employees' code of conduct, the protocol on member/officer relations, and the anti-fraud, bribery, and corruption strategy.
• Chapter 8: Access to Information Procedure Rules: This chapter details the public's rights to access information and attend meetings.
• Chapter 10: Officer Employment Rules: This covers policies related to politically restricted posts and officer employment procedures.
• Chapter 11: Member Allowances: This outlines the scheme for allowances paid to Members.
• Procurement Code: This document details the rules and procedures for the Council's procurement activities.
• Financial Regulations: These regulations govern the management of the Council's financial affairs.
• Code of Corporate Governance: This sets out the principles and framework for good corporate governance at the Council.
• Partnership Working: This section details the Council's approach to working in partnership with external organisations.
• Outside Bodies: This outlines the Council's engagement with external organisations and the appointment of representatives.
• The Westminster City Council Petition Scheme: This details the procedures for submitting and responding to petitions from residents.
• Protocol for Recording Meetings: This sets out the rules for sound recording of meetings.
• Co-Opted Membership Scheme: This outlines the scheme for co-opted members on Council committees.

The report pack indicated that the meeting was scheduled to discuss the adoption of the Constitution.