The General Purposes Committee of Croydon Council met on 03 April 2024 to discuss proposed changes to the Council's Constitution. Key decisions included the approval of revised Tenders and Contracts Regulations and the renaming and restructuring of the Corporate Parenting Panel to the Corporate Parenting Board.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution Relating to the Health and Wellbeing Board

The committee reviewed proposed changes to the Council's Constitution concerning the Health and Wellbeing Board. These changes, developed with support from the Local Government Association, aim to update the Constitution following the Health and Social Care Act 2022 and improve the Board's functionality. The proposed amendments include adjustments to membership arrangements and working practices, such as the establishment of an informal Health and Wellbeing Board Executive Group to support the development of work programmes and strategies. The committee recommended these changes to Full Council for adoption.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution Relating to the Corporate Parenting Panel

The committee considered proposals to strengthen Croydon's corporate parenting approach, based on recommendations from a Department for Education advisor and in line with the Children and Social Work Act 2017. The proposed changes include expanding the membership to foster greater participation from external partners and young people, with a care-experienced young person set to become a Co-Chair and young ambassadors to support strategic developments. The panel will be renamed the Corporate Parenting Board to align with common practice among local authorities. The committee resolved to recommend these changes to Full Council for adoption.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution Relating to Tenders and Contract Regulations

The committee discussed proposed revisions to the Council's Tenders and Contracts Regulations (TCRs). These changes aim to streamline procurement processes, reduce bureaucracy, and align Croydon's regulations with those of other local authorities. Key proposals include adjusting governance thresholds and delegations, removing the requirement for the Contracts and Commissioning Board (CCB) to review all procurement reports, and replacing the London Living Wage with the Real Living Wage for contracts performed outside of London. The committee recommended the adoption of these revised TCRs to Full Council and noted that further revisions would be necessary following the implementation of the Procurement Act 2023.