The General Purposes Committee of Croydon Council met on Tuesday 14 April 2026 to discuss proposed changes to the Council Procedure Rules, aiming to improve the efficiency and fairness of council meetings, particularly in light of potential changes in political composition following the upcoming local elections. Key decisions included the adoption of a politically proportionate approach to allocating speaking time for questions and debates, and the introduction of written questions for the Executive Mayor and Cabinet.

Proposed Changes to Council Procedure Rules

The committee discussed and recommended significant amendments to Croydon Council's Procedure Rules (CPRs) to ensure they are fit for purpose following the May 2026 local elections. These changes, developed by the cross-party Constitutional Working Group (CWG), aim to enhance fairness and efficiency in council proceedings.

A central theme of the proposed changes is the implementation of political proportionality in various aspects of council meetings. This means that speaking rights, the allocation of time for questions, and the ability to move motions will be more closely aligned with the size of political groups on the council. This approach aims to reflect the democratic outcome of elections more accurately.

Key changes agreed upon include:

• Questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet: The total time for questions will increase from 65 minutes to approximately 75-77 minutes. This time will be allocated proportionally based on group size, with a minimum of two minutes per question. The session will adopt a rotational format, with speaking slots subdivided into 10-minute segments, and the order determined by the Chair in consultation with political groups. This aims to ensure more questions can be addressed and to prevent lengthy exchanges.
• Written Questions: A new provision will allow members to submit written questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet. Initially, up to 35 written questions will be permitted per meeting, allocated based on political proportionality. These questions will need to be submitted 15 working days before the meeting, with written responses published with the agenda. This aims to allow for more detailed questions to be addressed without consuming valuable meeting time.
• Council Debate Motions: The right to move motions will be based on political proportionality over a four-year term, with a total of 40 motions available. This replaces the previous system where only the two largest groups could move motions.
• Debating Reports and Amendments: Speaking slots for debates on reports, amendments, and referrals back will also be allocated based on political proportionality.
• Public Petitions: The number of speaking slots for the Administration and Main Opposition groups on public petitions will be reduced from four to two to improve time management.
• Council Tax and Budget Meetings: The time allocated for questions to the Executive Mayor and Cabinet Member for Finance at these meetings will be extended from 15 to 30 minutes. Additionally, public questions will be introduced for these meetings, with questions restricted to budget proposals.
• Annual Scrutiny Report: This report will now be presented at the council meeting before the Annual Council meeting, except in election years, when it will be scheduled for the most appropriate meeting.
• Review of CPRs: A formal review of the Council Procedure Rules will be undertaken after two ordinary meetings of the council following the implementation of these changes.

The committee also agreed to authorise the Monitoring Officer to make minor, non-substantive amendments to Part 4A of the Constitution to ensure consistency with the agreed provisions. These recommendations will be put forward to Full Council for approval.