The Wandsworth Borough Council was scheduled to hold a meeting to discuss its constitution, which outlines how the council operates, makes decisions, and ensures transparency and accountability. The constitution is divided into several parts, each addressing different aspects of the council's functions and procedures.

Articles of the Constitution

The meeting was scheduled to consider the 16 articles that form the core of the constitution. These articles cover a range of topics:

• Article 1: The Constitution - Focuses on the powers of the council and the purpose, interpretation, and review of the constitution.
• Article 2: Members of the Council - Deals with the composition, eligibility, election, terms, roles, functions, rights, duties, conduct, and allowances of councillors.
• Article 3: Citizens and the Council - Explains citizens' rights, including voting, information access, participation through deputations, and complaint procedures, also detailing the council's petitions scheme.
• Article 4: The Full Council - Describes the types of council meetings, membership, role, and functions of the full council.
• Article 5: Role and Functions of the Mayor - Outlines the ceremonial role and responsibilities of the mayor, including chairing council meetings.
• Article 6: Overview and Scrutiny Committees - Details the general duties, policy development, review, scrutiny powers, proceedings, structure, and terms of reference of these committees.
• Article 7: The Executive - Covers the form, composition, role, Leader, Cabinet members, proceedings, responsibilities, and Deputy Cabinet Members of the Executive.
• Article 8: Regulatory and Other Committees - Describes the appointment, proceedings, and reporting requirements of regulatory and other committees.
• Article 9: Standards Committee - Focuses on the appointment, proceedings, and reporting requirements of the Standards Committee.
• Article 10: Area and Consultative Forums - Addresses the maintenance and review of area-based and consultative forums.
• Article 11: Joint Arrangements - Covers arrangements to promote well-being, joint arrangements with other local authorities, access to information, delegation, and contracting out.
• Article 12: Officers - Discusses the engagement, roles, functions, structure, and conduct of council staff, including the Head of Paid Service, Chief Finance Officer, and Monitoring Officer.
• Article 13: Decision Making - Explains the responsibility and principles of decision-making, types of decisions, and decision-making by regulatory committees.
• Article 14: Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters - Covers financial management, contracts, legal matters, authentication of documents, and the Common Seal of the Council.
• Article 15: Review and Revision of the Constitution - Addresses the duty to monitor and review the constitution and the process for making changes.
• Article 16: Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution - Details the suspension, interpretation, and publication of the constitution.

Schedules

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the schedules included in the constitution:

• Schedule 1: Description of Executive Arrangements
• Schedule 2: Register of Executive Members

Responsibility for Functions

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss who is responsible for what functions within the council. This includes:

• The Full Council
• The Overview and Scrutiny Committees
• The Executive
• The Regulatory and Other Committees
• The Standards Committee
• Delegations to Officers (Scheme of Delegations)
• Delegations to Other Bodies

Rules of Procedure

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the rules of procedure, including:

• Standing Orders of the Council
• Standing Orders of the Licensing Committee and Procedure Rules for Licensing Sub-Committees
• Executive Procedure Rules
• Overview and Scrutiny Committee Procedure Rules
• Access to Information Procedure Rules
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
• Financial Regulations
• Procurement Regulations
• Legal Proceedings
• Remote Council and Committee meetings - Procedure Rules

Codes

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the codes of conduct, including:

• Code of Conduct for Members
• Code of Conduct for Employees
• Code of Corporate Governance

Members' Allowances Scheme

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the Members' Allowances Scheme.

Management Structure

The meeting was also scheduled to discuss the management structure of the council.

Overall, the scheduled discussions covered a comprehensive review of the council's framework for governance, ensuring it aligns with legal requirements and best practices.