The General Purposes Committee of Westminster Council met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to discuss proposed changes to the Council's Constitution. The committee recommended that Full Council approve these changes, which are necessary to align with new government regulations on planning functions and to reflect internal organisational changes, including the introduction of a Chief Operating Officer. A wider review of the Council's Constitution was also noted.

Constitutional Review and Changes

The committee considered a report detailing proposed amendments to the Council's Constitution. These changes are primarily driven by the Government's new National Scheme of Delegation for planning functions, which comes into effect on 31 October 2026, and associated adjustments to the size and operation of planning committees. The report also outlined proposed changes to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers to incorporate the new post of Chief Operating Officer and reflect updated directorate responsibilities.

Members noted that a comprehensive review of the Constitution had commenced, with a view to presenting significant proposals to Full Council in March 2027. However, immediate amendments were required to ensure compliance with the impending planning regulations. Key changes to the planning system include the removal of existing member call-in arrangements and objection-based referral triggers. Under the new system, certain planning applications can only be referred to a Planning Sub-Committee if both a nominated officer and a nominated member agree that specific statutory criteria are met. The Planning Committee Referral Protocol, which will govern these arrangements, will be published separately from the Constitution to allow for easier updates.

The committee discussed the practical implications of this new gateway process, including the roles of ward members and amenity societies, and acknowledged the high volume of planning applications received by Westminster. Members were assured that the protocol aims to ensure the consistent application of national criteria and provide clarity on when referrals to committee are appropriate. Officers clarified that not all Schedule 2 applications would undergo formal gateway consideration, with decisions based on the criteria outlined in the protocol.

Amendments to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers were described as administrative, reflecting the introduction of the Chief Operating Officer. The committee agreed that the version submitted to Full Council should be updated to include the transfer of Communities functions to this new role. The committee welcomed the principle of a structured constitutional review, recognising it as good practice, and confirmed that the General Purposes Committee would be consulted throughout the process.

The committee resolved to recommend to Full Council the approval of the proposed constitutional changes related to the planning system and the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, subject to the noted amendment regarding Communities functions. The proposed scope of the wider constitutional review was also noted.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Mark Shearer (Chair and Cabinet Member for Innovation), Councillor Tim Barnes (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth and Planning), Councillor Caroline Sargent (Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Enforcement), Councillor David Boothroyd, and Councillor Cara Sanquest. Councillor Cara Sanquest was substituting for Councillor Nafsika Butler-Thalassis. Councillor David Boothroyd declared an interest as Head of Research for Thorncliffe, whose clients include companies applying for planning permission, but confirmed no current clients in Westminster. The minutes of the previous meeting on 3 June 2026 were signed as a correct record.