The Royal Borough of Greenwich Council's Constitution was scheduled for review at a meeting on Wednesday, 28 January 2026. The meeting's agenda focused on the comprehensive document that outlines the council's operational framework, decision-making processes, and accountability structures. The report pack provided attendees with the full text of the Constitution, detailing its various parts, articles, schedules, and procedures.

The Council Constitution

The core of the meeting's scheduled discussion was the Royal Borough of Greenwich's Constitution¹. This document, last approved on 28 November 2001 and including updates up to 28 January 2026, serves as the foundational rulebook for the council. It is a legal requirement for the council to have a constitution, with some elements mandated by law and others chosen by the council itself. The Constitution is divided into seven parts, covering:

• Part 1: Summary, explanation and glossary of terms - This section provides an overview of the Constitution's purpose and defines key terms used throughout the document.
• Part 2: Articles of the Constitution - This part lays out the fundamental rules governing the council's business, including the rights of citizens, the structure of the Full Council, the roles of the Mayor, Overview and Scrutiny Committee, the Leader and Cabinet, and other committees.
• Part 3: Responsibility for functions - This details which parts of the council are responsible for carrying out specific functions, categorised into Executive functions, Council functions, Proper Officer appointments, Consultative arrangements, and Terms of Reference for Member-level Bodies.
• Part 4: Procedures - This section contains more detailed procedural rules for various council activities, including Council and committee procedures, Overview and Scrutiny committee procedures, Cabinet procedures, Access to Information procedures, Budget and Policy Framework procedures, Financial Regulations, Contract Standing Orders, and Officer Employment procedures.
• Part 5: Codes and Protocols - This part includes the Members' Code of Conduct, Officers' Code of Conduct, a Protocol on Member/Officer relations, and guidance on good practice in Planning and Licensing.
• Part 6: Members' Allowances Scheme - This outlines the scheme for allowances paid to councillors.
• Part 7: Organisation and management structures - This details the council's organisational and management structures, including Chief Officer Delegation Schemes.

The Constitution aims to ensure that decision-making is transparent, efficient, and accountable, supporting citizen involvement and enabling councillors to represent their constituents effectively. It also sets out the rights and responsibilities of citizens, councillors, and officers, as well as the procedures for making decisions, managing finances, and entering into contracts.