The Havering Council Constitution was scheduled for review at a meeting on 01 April 2026. The primary focus of the meeting was the adoption and potential revision of the Council's constitution, which outlines the operational framework, decision-making processes, and procedural rules governing the Council's activities.

Council Constitution

The meeting's agenda was centred around the Council's constitution, a comprehensive document that details how the London Borough of Havering operates. The constitution is divided into several parts, each addressing a specific aspect of the Council's governance.

• Part 1: Summary of the Constitution provides an overview and definitions of key terms used throughout the document.
• Part 2: Articles of the Constitution outlines the fundamental rules governing the Council's business, including the roles of Members, citizens, the Mayor, the Executive, and officers, as well as decision-making processes, finance, contracts, and legal matters.
• Part 3: Responsibility for Functions details the specific responsibilities assigned to different bodies within the Council, such as Full Council, Committees, the Executive, and individual officers. This section clarifies which functions are executive and which are non-executive, and how they are delegated.
• Part 4: Rules of Procedure sets out the detailed procedural rules for various types of meetings, including Council meetings, committee meetings, executive meetings, and planning committee meetings. It also includes rules on access to information.
• Part 5: Codes and Protocols contains ethical guidelines and protocols that Members and officers are expected to follow, such as the Members' Code of Conduct, protocols on gifts and hospitality, member-officer relations, and probity in planning.
• Part 6: Members' Allowances outlines the scheme for allowances paid to councillors, including basic and special responsibility allowances, as well as provisions for travel and subsistence.

The report pack indicated that the constitution itself was subject to review and potential revision, with specific sections detailing the responsibilities for various functions, contract procedures, and rules of debate and conduct for meetings. The agenda also included references to the Contract Procedure Rules, which govern how the Council procures goods, services, and works, ensuring compliance with legislation, probity, value for money, and transparency. The detailed breakdown of responsibilities within the constitution, particularly in Part 3, would have informed discussions on how functions are allocated and exercised across different Council bodies and officers.