The Constitution of Southwark Council met on Friday 04 December 2020 to discuss the council's constitution. The report pack provided to attendees outlined the various sections of the constitution, detailing how the council operates, who makes decisions, and the procedures that govern these processes.

Southwark Council Constitution

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the Southwark Council Constitution, a document that guides the council's decision-making processes. The constitution is a legal document agreed upon by central government and provides a framework for councillors and officers to operate within, ensuring accountability and lawful decision-making. The report pack detailed the structure of the constitution, which is divided into several parts:

• Part 1: Introduction - This section outlines the purpose of the constitution, the council's composition, and the rights of residents. It explains that Southwark is comprised of 23 wards with 63 councillors, forming the council assembly, which is the sovereign body. The council assembly is responsible for approving the budget, developing policies, and making constitutional decisions. A cabinet, led by the leader, is responsible for executive functions, including community planning, budget drafting, and policy decisions.
• Part 2: Articles - This part details the core articles of the constitution, including the powers of the council, the purpose of the constitution, and the principles of decision-making. It also covers the roles of councillors, the Mayor, the overview and scrutiny committee, the cabinet, regulatory committees, multi-ward areas, joint arrangements, and officers.
• Part 3: Who Takes Decisions? - This extensive section outlines the decision-making structure of the council. It details the roles and functions of various bodies, including the Council Assembly, Cabinet, Cabinet Committees, Individual Cabinet Members, Planning Committees, Licensing Committees, Multi-Ward Forums, Appointments Committee, Corporate Parenting Committee, Audit, Governance and Standards Committee, and the Health and Wellbeing Board. It specifies the matters reserved for decision by each body, ensuring clarity on accountability.
• Part 4: Rules - This part covers the procedural rules governing how the council takes decisions. It includes the Access to Information Procedure Rules, Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, Council Assembly Procedure Rules, Committee Procedure Rules, Cabinet Procedure Rules, Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules, Contract Standing Orders, Financial Standing Orders, Officer Employment Procedure Rules, Codes of Conduct, Protocols (Member and Officer, Communication, Member Allowances), and a List of Councillors.
• Part 5: Codes - This section contains the Code of Conduct for members, outlining expected standards of behaviour and ethical conduct.
• Part 6: Protocols - This part includes various protocols guiding the relationships and interactions between members and officers, communication strategies, and member allowances schemes.
• Part 7: Additional Information - This includes a glossary of terms, contract standing order flowcharts, appointments to joint committees and outside bodies, and a list of statutory officers and proper officer functions.

The report pack also included detailed information on specific procedural rules, such as those governing access to information, budget and policy framework decisions, council assembly and committee meetings, and the roles of statutory officers. The intention was to ensure that all attendees had a comprehensive understanding of the council's constitutional framework.