The Constitution of Southwark Council met on Thursday 23 May 2024 to discuss the council's constitution. The agenda for the meeting focused on reviewing and potentially updating the various sections of the constitution, which outlines how the council operates.

Southwark Council Constitution

The primary focus of the meeting was the comprehensive review of the Southwark Council Constitution. This document serves as the rulebook for the council, detailing its structure, decision-making processes, and codes of conduct. The agenda indicated that discussions would cover several key parts of the constitution:

• Introduction: This section, spanning pages 1-10 of the constitution document, would likely cover the overarching principles and purpose of the constitution.
• Articles: Pages 11-28 of the constitution were scheduled for discussion, which typically define the fundamental legal framework and powers of the council.
• Who Takes Decisions: This significant part of the agenda, detailed across pages 29-84, would explore the various bodies and individuals responsible for making decisions within the council. This includes:
  • Council Assembly: The main deliberative body of the council.
  • Cabinet: The executive arm of the council, responsible for implementing policy.
  • Cabinet Portfolios: The specific areas of responsibility assigned to individual Cabinet members.
  • Cabinet Committees, Full Cabinet, Individual Cabinet Members, and Cabinet Committees: These sections outline the different ways the Cabinet can operate and make decisions.
  • Planning Committees and Licensing Committee and Sub-Committees: These committees are responsible for specific regulatory functions.
  • Multi-Ward Forums, Appointments Committee, Corporate Parenting Committee, Audit, Governance and Standards Committee, and Health and Wellbeing Board: These represent various other committees and boards with specific oversight or advisory roles.
  • Urgency Arrangements and Committees, Panels, Matters Delegated to Officers, Local Act Functions, and Local Choice Functions: These sections cover the procedures for urgent decisions, the roles of panels, and the delegation of powers to officers and specific legal functions.
• Rules: A substantial portion of the agenda was dedicated to the various procedural rules governing the council's operations, including:
  • Access to Information Procedure Rules: How the public can access council information.
  • Protocol on Key Decisions: The process for making significant decisions.
  • Budget and Policy Framework: The rules surrounding the council's financial planning and policy development.
  • Council Assembly Procedure Rules, Committee Procedure Rules, Cabinet Procedure Rules, and Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules: These detail the specific procedures for how different council bodies conduct their business.
  • Contract Standing Orders and Financial Standing Orders: Rules governing how the council procures goods and services and manages its finances.
  • Officer Employment Procedure Rules: Procedures related to the employment of council staff.
• Codes: The agenda included discussion on:
  • Code of Conduct: The ethical standards expected of councillors and officers.
• Protocols: This section covered:
  • Member and Officer Protocol: The relationship and working practices between elected members and council officers.
  • Communication Protocol: Guidelines for how the council communicates internally and externally.
  • Member Allowances Scheme: The system for reimbursing councillors for their expenses and duties.
• Additional Information: Finally, the agenda indicated that supplementary information would be presented, including:
  • List of Councillors: An updated list of elected members.
  • Glossary: Definitions of key terms used within the constitution.
  • Contract Standing Order Flowcharts: Visual aids for understanding contract procedures.
  • Appointments to Joint Committees and Outside Bodies: Details on the council's representation on external organisations.
  • Proper Officer List: Identification of officers responsible for specific statutory duties.
  • Statutory and Guidance References: Relevant legal and governmental guidance.

The meeting's agenda, available as the Agenda frontsheet Thursday 23-May-2024 Constitution.pdf, outlined these topics for consideration. The information status of the meeting was PENDINGCOUNCILPUBLICATION, meaning that while the agenda was available, details of any discussions or decisions made have not yet been published by the council.