The London Borough of Lambeth Council Constitution Committee met on Monday 01 June 2026 to discuss the proposed Council Constitution. The meeting's agenda was solely focused on the adoption of the Council Constitution itself, outlining the framework for how the council operates and makes decisions.

The Council Constitution

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the Constitution of the London Borough of Lambeth. The report pack provided a comprehensive overview of the proposed Constitution, detailing its structure, principles, and the rights and responsibilities of residents, councillors, and officers.

The Constitution is presented as a framework designed to align with Lambeth's ambitions for 2030, aiming for a borough with social and climate justice at its heart. It outlines how decisions are made, emphasizing citizen involvement, effective leadership, and accountability. The document details the roles of various bodies within the council, including the Full Council, the Cabinet, and scrutiny committees, as well as the procedures for decision-making, financial management, and ethical governance.

Key sections of the Constitution scheduled for review included:

• Part I – The Constitution: This section provided a summary of the Constitution's purpose, its underlying principles linked to the Lambeth 2030 ambitions, and how residents interact with the Council. It detailed residents' rights regarding voting, petitions, and access to information, as well as outlining the reserved functions of the Full Council and the roles of the Mayor and Chair of the Council.
• Part II – Executive Functions: This part detailed the roles and procedures of the Cabinet, including Cabinet Advisory Panels, and the Health and Wellbeing Board. It also outlined the Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, explaining how the council develops its strategic plans and budgets.
• Part III – Scrutiny Functions: This section described the arrangements for Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Sub-Committees, and Commissions, outlining their powers and roles in holding decision-makers to account. It also detailed procedures for public involvement, Councillor Calls for Action, and the rights of scrutiny members to access information.
• Part IV – Full Council and Committees Procedure Rules: This part covered the procedural rules for meetings of the Full Council, its committees, and sub-committees, including rules on agendas, voting, minutes, and the exclusion of the public. It also included specific rules for quasi-judicial meetings such as the Planning Applications Committee and Licensing Committee.
• Part V – Scheme of Delegation: This section detailed the scheme of delegation to officers, outlining the powers and responsibilities of Chief Officers and other senior staff, as well as financial regulations and contract standing orders.
• Part VI – Ethical Governance: This part covered the Members' Code of Conduct, officers' codes of conduct, and protocols relating to councillor and officer relations, social media use, and the use of council resources. It also included protocols for gifts and hospitality, dispensations, and DBS checks for elected members.
• Part VII – Access to Information: This part outlined the public's rights to access information and attend meetings, including rules on agendas, reports, minutes, and the exclusion of the public from meetings where confidential or exempt information is discussed.
• Part VIII – Rules, Codes and Protocols: This part contained various rules, codes, and protocols governing the Council's operations, including financial regulations, the local code of corporate governance, and officer employment procedure rules.
• Part IX – Officer Employment Procedure Rules: This section detailed the procedures for the recruitment, appointment, disciplinary action, and dismissal of officers.
• Part X – Members' Allowances: This part summarised the allowances and expenses payable to councillors, including basic allowances, special responsibility allowances, and provisions for childcare and travel.
• Part XI – Partnership Arrangements and Outside Bodies: This part outlined the Council's arrangements for working with other local authorities, partners, and external bodies, including joint committees and consultative forums.
• Part XII – Management Structure: This section referred to the availability of the Council's senior management structure chart.

The report pack provided a detailed breakdown of each part of the Constitution, including its purpose, terms of reference, membership, and working arrangements. It also included various protocols and codes of conduct designed to ensure ethical governance and effective decision-making. The intention was to present a comprehensive document that would guide the Council's operations and decision-making processes moving forward.