The meeting of The Constitution of Harrow Council on Thursday 26 February 2026 was scheduled to consider the entirety of the council's constitution. This comprehensive document outlines the rules and procedures by which the council operates, covering everything from the roles of councillors and officers to financial regulations and codes of conduct.

The Constitution

The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed adoption of the council's constitution. This document is divided into several parts, each addressing a specific aspect of the council's governance.

• Part 1: Summary and Explanation This section was scheduled to provide an overview and explanation of the constitution's purpose and content.

• Part 2: Articles This part of the constitution was set to detail the fundamental articles governing the council, including:

  • Article 1: The Constitution itself, likely defining its scope and authority.
  • Article 2: Members and the Council, outlining the composition and general functions of the council and its members.
  • Article 3: The Full Council, detailing the powers and procedures of the main council body.
  • Article 4: The Mayor, defining the role and responsibilities of the Mayor of Harrow.
  • Article 5: The Executive, outlining the structure and functions of the council's executive decision-making body.
  • Article 6: Decision Making, setting out the processes for making council decisions.
  • Article 7: Officers, defining the roles, responsibilities, and employment of council officers.

• Part 3A: Allocation of Responsibilities This part was scheduled to cover the allocation of responsibilities, including a general index, terms of reference, and appendices detailing specific schedules and local choice functions.

• Part 3B: Delegation to Officers This section was to address the delegation of powers and functions to council officers.

• Part 4: Rules of Procedure This extensive part was to lay out the various procedural rules governing council business:

  • Part 4A: Council Procedure Rules
  • Part 4B: Committee Procedure Rules, including specific rules for the Health and Wellbeing Board.
  • Part 4C: Budget and Policy Procedure Rules
  • Part 4D: Executive Procedure Rules
  • Part 4G: Access to Information Procedure Rules
  • Part 4H: Officer Employment Procedure Rules
  • Part 4I: Contract Procedure Rules
  • Part 4J: Miscellaneous Procedure Rules
  • Part 4K: Financial Regulations, outlining the rules for managing the council's finances.

• Part 5: Codes and Protocols This part was to include various codes of conduct and protocols:

  • Part 5A: Members' Code of Conduct
  • Part 5B: Code of Conduct for Council Employees
  • Part 5C: Protocol for Members and Officers
  • Part 5D: Code of Practice and Publicity
  • Part 5E: Planning Protocol
  • Part 5F: Corporate Anti Fraud and Corruption Strategy
  • Part 5G: Confidentiality of Part II Reports
  • Part 5H: Co-optees and Advisers
  • Part 5I: Members' Access to Information
  • Part 5J: Gifts and Hospitality Protocol
  • Part 5K: Code on Corporate Governance
  • Part 5L: Anti-Money Laundering Policy
  • Part 5M: Social Media Protocol
  • Part 5N: Protocol for public reporting on meetings
  • Part 5O: Protocol on the Recording of Decisions made by Officers

• Part 6: Members' Allowances Scheme This section was to detail the scheme for members' allowances.

• Part 7: Glossary This part was to provide definitions for terms used within the constitution.

The agenda indicated that the meeting would also consider the Constitution Index, which serves as a guide to the document's contents.