The Constitution of the London Borough of Camden was scheduled for review and potential revision at a meeting on Monday, 20 April 2026. The primary focus of the meeting was the adoption of a revised edition of the Council's Constitution, which outlines the framework for how the council operates, makes decisions, and ensures accountability to its residents.

The Council's Constitution

The meeting's agenda was centred around the Constitution of the London Borough of Camden¹. This comprehensive document, originally adopted in 2001 and subject to subsequent amendments, sets out the fundamental rules and principles governing the Council's operations. The revised edition for 2026 was scheduled for consideration.

The Constitution is structured into several parts, detailing:

• Part 1: Summary and Explanation - This section provides an overview of the Constitution's purpose, principles, and objectives, including a commitment to openness, responsiveness, representativeness, stewardship, and integrity. It aims to ensure clear and transparent decision-making, effective resource utilisation, and enhanced community leadership.

• Part 2: Articles - These articles lay down the core rules for various aspects of the Council's governance, including:

  • Article 1: The Constitution - Outlining the purpose and principles of the Constitution.
  • Article 2: Members of the Council - Detailing the composition, eligibility, roles, functions, conduct, allowances, and lobbying of Councillors. It specifies that the Council comprises 55 Councillors, elected every four years, with an overriding duty to the whole community and a special duty to their constituents.
  • Article 3: Citizens and the Council - Explaining citizens' rights, including voting, access to information, participation in decision-making, and making representations and complaints. It also outlines citizens' responsibilities, such as voting and respecting diversity.
  • Article 4: The Council - Defining the policy framework, budget, and housing land transfer, and outlining the functions reserved for the full Council, such as adopting the Constitution, approving the policy framework and budget, and appointing the Leader.
  • Article 5: The Mayor - Detailing the Mayor's responsibilities in presiding over Council meetings and attending civic functions.
  • Article 6: Scrutiny - Describing the structure and general role of the five Scrutiny Committees, including policy development, review, and pre-decision scrutiny. It highlights their power to review and scrutinise decisions, make reports and recommendations, and consider matters affecting the area or its inhabitants.
  • Article 7: The Cabinet - Outlining the role, form, composition, and proceedings of the Cabinet, which is responsible for most day-to-day decisions. It details the Leader's powers, the appointment of Cabinet Members, and the process for votes of no confidence.
  • Article 8: Planning, Licensing, Pensions, Audit and Other Non-Executive Functions - Establishing specific committees for these functions, including the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee, Licensing Committee, Planning Committee, and Pension Committee.
  • Article 9: The Standards Committee - Detailing the establishment, composition, role, and procedures for the Standards Committee, responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct among councillors.
  • Article 10: The Health and Wellbeing Board (HWB) - Explaining the purpose, vision, legal duties, approach, membership, and operational procedures of the HWB, which aims to galvanise shared action across the health and care system.
  • Article 11: Pension Board - Outlining the establishment and responsibilities of the Pension Board in accordance with the Public Service Pension Act 2013.
  • Article 12: Joint Arrangements - Describing how the Council may establish joint arrangements with other local authorities or organisations for exercising functions or providing advice.
  • Article 13: Officers - Detailing the management structure, statutory officers, and the functions of the Head of Paid Service and Monitoring Officer. It outlines the roles of Executive Directors and Chief Officers, and the importance of the Member/Officer Protocol.
  • Article 14: Decision Making - Setting out the principles of decision-making, including environmental considerations, and defining key decisions.
  • Article 15: Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters - Referencing the Financial Standing Orders and Contract Standing Orders that govern the Council's financial management and procurement processes.
  • Article 16: Review, Suspension and Publication of the Constitution - Assigning responsibility for monitoring and reviewing the Constitution to the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee and outlining the process for making changes.

• Part 3: Responsibility for Functions - This section details which part of the Council or which individual has responsibility for specific functions, including those reserved for the full Council and those delegated to the Cabinet, its members, officers, or joint arrangements. It outlines the terms of reference for the Cabinet and the specific responsibilities of each Cabinet Portfolio holder, such as the Leader of the Council, Cabinet Member for New Homes and Community Investment, and Cabinet Member for Planning and a Sustainable Camden.

• Part 4: Procedure Rules and Standing Orders - This part contains detailed rules for the conduct of meetings, including Council Procedure Rules, Cabinet Procedure Rules, Scrutiny Procedure Rules, Committee Procedure Rules, Access to Information Procedure Rules, Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, Financial Standing Orders, Contract Standing Orders, and Officer Employment Procedure Rules. These rules govern how meetings are conducted, how decisions are made, and how information is accessed.

• Part 5: Codes and Protocols - This section includes important codes of conduct and protocols, such as the Protocol for Key Decisions, Planning and Licensing Protocols, the Camden Code of Conduct for Councillors, the Code of Conduct for Officers, and the Petition Scheme. These documents provide guidance on ethical behaviour, decision-making processes, and public engagement.

• Part 6: Members' Allowance Scheme - This outlines the scheme for the payment of allowances to councillors, including basic allowances, special responsibility allowances, and reimbursement for travel, subsistence, and dependent care costs.

• Part 7: Management Structure - This part includes an organisational chart detailing the Council's top-level management structure, including the Chief Executive and Executive Directors responsible for various directorates.

The agenda indicated that Vicky Wemyss-Cooke, Committee Services, was the point of contact for enquiries regarding the Constitution. The meeting was scheduled to address the revised Constitution, ensuring that the Council's operational framework aligns with legal requirements and best practices for transparency and accountability.