The Council Constitution of Lambeth Council was scheduled to consider its governing document, which outlines how the council operates and makes decisions. The meeting was scheduled to review the comprehensive framework for the council's decision-making processes, its principles, and the roles and responsibilities of its members and officers.

The Council Constitution

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Constitution of the London Borough of Lambeth, a document that details the framework for how the council operates and makes decisions. The Constitution was scheduled to outline the principles guiding the council's work, particularly in relation to its Lambeth 2030 ambitions, which focus on social and climate justice, equity, and creating a borough where everyone can belong and thrive.

The Constitution was scheduled to cover various aspects of the council's governance, including:

• Residents and the Council: This section was scheduled to detail the rights of residents, such as the right to vote, petition, access information, and participate in council activities. It was also scheduled to outline the council's complaints procedure.
• The Full Council: This part was scheduled to define the role of the Full Council as the supreme political body, responsible for setting policies, the budget, and undertaking non-executive functions. Specific reserved functions for the Full Council were also scheduled to be detailed.
• The Mayor and the Chair of the Council: The roles and functions of the Mayor, including their ceremonial duties and responsibilities in chairing council meetings, were scheduled to be discussed.
• Members of the Council: This section was scheduled to cover the election, terms of office, and key roles and responsibilities of the 63 elected councillors, emphasizing their duty to their constituents and the wider community.
• Decision-making and Allocation of Functions: The meeting was scheduled to consider how decisions are made, distinguishing between executive and non-executive decisions, and outlining the responsibilities of the Cabinet, individual Cabinet Members, and officers. The principles of decision-making, including proportionality, consultation, and transparency, were also scheduled to be reviewed.
• Executive Functions: This part was scheduled to detail the roles and procedures of the Cabinet, including Cabinet Procedure Rules, how Cabinet meetings are conducted, and the establishment of Cabinet Advisory Panels. Specific panels such as the Fostering and Adoption Panel, Corporate Parenting Board, Equity and Justice Member Panel, Secure Accommodation Panel, and the Health and Wellbeing Board were scheduled to have their terms of reference outlined.
• Scrutiny Functions: The Constitution was scheduled to detail the role of Scrutiny committees and commissions in holding decision-makers to account and driving service improvement. This included the terms of reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, its sub-committees (Adult Social Care and Health, Children's Services, Housing, and Finance and Budget), Scrutiny Commissions, and Joint Scrutiny Committees. Procedures for public involvement, general powers, and specific terms of reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee were also scheduled for consideration.
• Procedure Rules: The meeting was scheduled to review various procedure rules, including those for Full Council meetings, extraordinary meetings, committee meetings, and quasi-judicial meetings such as the Planning Applications Committee and Licensing Committee. Rules governing access to information, including public participation, exclusion of the public, and the publication of agendas and minutes, were also to be considered.
• Ethical Governance: This section was scheduled to cover the Members' Code of Conduct, including arrangements for dealing with standards allegations, social media guidance, protocols on councillor and officer relations, and policies on gifts, hospitality, and DBS checks for elected members.
• Scheme of Delegation and Financial Regulations: The meeting was scheduled to review the scheme of delegation to officers and the financial regulations governing the council's financial management, decision-making, accounting, audit, and external arrangements.
• Members' Allowances: The summary of allowances for financial year 2026/27, including basic allowances, special responsibility allowances, and civic expenses, was scheduled to be presented.
• Partnership Arrangements and Outside Bodies: The Constitution was scheduled to outline delegations to joint committees and other bodies, including functions discharged by London Councils Joint Committees and the Western Riverside Waste Authority.
• Management Structure: Information on the council's senior management structure was scheduled to be available upon request.

The meeting was scheduled to consider the Council Constitution, ensuring it aligns with the council's strategic ambitions and legal requirements.