The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council's Constitution was scheduled for discussion at a meeting on Friday 17 April 2026. The meeting's agenda focused on the comprehensive document that outlines the council's operational framework, decision-making processes, and procedural rules.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Constitution

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Constitution. This foundational document details how the council operates, including the roles and responsibilities of councillors and officers, the structure of council meetings, and the procedures for making decisions.

The Constitution is divided into several parts:

• Part 1: Introduction - This section provides an overview of the council's operations, outlines the key components of the Constitution, and details the rights of the public to engage with the council.
• Part 2: Articles of the Constitution - This part describes the various bodies within the council, such as the Council Meeting, Standing Committees, and Neighbourhood Committees, and outlines their respective roles. It also details opportunities for public participation in decision-making.
• Part 3: Responsibility for Functions - This section specifies how the council's functions are allocated among different decision-making bodies and individuals. It includes Terms of Reference for various committees and a Scheme of Delegations.
• Part 4: Rules of Procedure - This part sets out the detailed procedural rules governing the council's business, including meeting procedures, access to information, call-in procedures, contract regulations, financial regulations, officer employment rules, and the petition scheme.
• Part 5: Codes and Protocols - This section contains codes of conduct for members and employees, as well as protocols governing relationships between members and officers, and specific protocols for planning matters.
• 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 provides explanations for key terms used throughout the Constitution.

The report pack indicated that the Constitution is subject to regular review and revision, with a version control log detailing amendments made over several years, reflecting changes in legislation, government policy, and council practice. The most recent revisions noted were related to contract regulations, members' allowances, and the glossary of terms, all updated by the Monitoring Officer on 17 April 2026.