The Constitution of Ealing Council was scheduled for discussion at a meeting on Tuesday 21 April 2026. The meeting's agenda focused on reviewing and potentially amending the council's governing document, which outlines how the council operates, makes decisions, and ensures accountability to local residents.

The Council's Constitution

The council's constitution is a foundational document that sets out the rules and principles governing its operations. It is divided into several chapters, each addressing a specific aspect of the council's governance. The report pack provided to attendees detailed the structure and content of the constitution, covering areas such as the roles and functions of councillors, decision-making processes, citizens' rights, financial and contract rules, officer responsibilities, and ethical governance.

Introduction to the Constitution

Chapter 1 of the constitution provides a summary and explanation of its purpose. It outlines how the constitution is managed, the roles and functions of councillors, the decision-making framework, citizens' rights, and the handling of finance, contracts, and legal matters. It also details the roles of council officers. The constitution aims to enable the council to provide clear leadership, support citizen involvement, help councillors represent their constituents effectively, ensure efficient decision-making, and create a means of holding decision-makers to public account.

The Council and its Structure

Chapter 2 of the constitution details the role and functions of the Full Council, including its responsibilities for adopting and changing the constitution, approving the policy framework and budget, appointing the Leader, and establishing committees. Chapter 3 outlines the role of the Leader and the Executive, detailing how the cabinet operates, how decisions are made, and the portfolios assigned to cabinet members. Chapter 4 covers the functions and procedures of Overview and Scrutiny Committees, which support the work of the cabinet and the council by scrutinising executive decisions and contributing to policy development. Chapter 5 details the various committees and sub-committees of the council, outlining their terms of reference.

Access to Information, Ethical Governance, and Delegations

Chapter 6 addresses the Access to Information Procedure Rules, outlining citizens' rights to attend meetings and access documents. Chapter 7 focuses on Ethical Governance, including the Code of Conduct for Members, codes of conduct for licensing and planning matters, and the protocol for member-officer relations. Chapter 8 details the Scheme of Delegations to Officers, outlining the specific powers and responsibilities delegated to various officers within the council.

Financial and Contractual Procedures, Officer Employment, and Members' Allowances

Chapter 9 covers the Finance and Contract Rules, including Financial Procedure Rules and Contract Procedure Rules, which govern how the council manages its finances and enters into contracts. Chapter 10 outlines the Officer Employment Procedure Rules, detailing the processes for recruitment, appointment, and disciplinary action for council officers. Finally, Chapter 11 details the Members' Allowances Scheme, outlining the allowances and expenses that councillors are entitled to claim.

The report pack provided a comprehensive overview of the council's constitutional framework, intended to guide the council's operations and decision-making processes. The meeting was scheduled to discuss these various chapters and rules, ensuring the constitution remains up-to-date and effective in governing the council's activities.