The Constitution of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames was the sole item scheduled for discussion at this meeting. The report pack provided to attendees detailed the entirety of the council's constitution, outlining its structure, rules, and protocols.

Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Constitution

The meeting's agenda focused on the comprehensive review and potential approval of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames' Constitution. This foundational document governs the council's operations, decision-making processes, and public engagement.

The Constitution is divided into several parts, each addressing a specific aspect of the council's governance:

• Part 1: Introduction provides an overview of how the council operates, the scope of the constitution, and the rights of the public.
• Part 2: Articles of the Constitution details the various bodies within the council, their roles and responsibilities, and opportunities for public participation in decision-making.
• Part 3: Responsibility for Functions outlines how the council's duties are allocated among its various decision-making bodies and individuals. This includes the terms of reference for strategic, neighbourhood, regulatory, and joint committees, as well as consultative and advisory bodies.
• Part 4: Rules of Procedure sets out the detailed procedural rules for council meetings, access to information, call-in procedures, contract regulations, financial regulations, officer employment, and the petition scheme.
• Part 5: Codes and Protocols includes codes of conduct for members and employees, as well as protocols governing relationships between members and officers, the leader and chief executive, and planning matters.
• Part 6: Members' Allowances Scheme details the allowances paid to the Mayor, councillors, and co-opted members.
• Part 7: Glossary of Terms provides definitions for key terms used throughout the Constitution.

The report pack also included version control information, detailing revisions made to the Constitution over time, and specific procedural rules such as the Access to Information Rules, Contract Regulations, Financial Regulations, Officer Employment Procedure Rules, and the Councillor Recall Scheme. These detailed rules govern how the council conducts its business, manages its finances, employs staff, and engages with the public on decisions.