The Council Constitution of Wandsworth Council met on Monday 1 June 2026 to discuss the framework that governs how the council operates. The meeting's agenda focused on the entirety of the Council's Constitution, outlining the rules, procedures, and codes of conduct that guide the council's decision-making processes and its interactions with citizens.

The Council's Constitution

The Wandsworth Borough Council's Constitution was scheduled for discussion. This comprehensive document, established in accordance with the Local Government Act 2000, sets out the fundamental rules and principles governing the council's operations. It details how decisions are made, the roles and responsibilities of various council bodies such as the Full Council, the Executive, and Overview and Scrutiny Committees, as well as the conduct expected of councillors and officers. The Constitution also outlines the rights of citizens in their dealings with the council, including rights to information and participation. A key aspect of the Constitution is its role in ensuring transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the council's work. The document was last updated to incorporate amendments approved on 20th July 2016, particularly concerning the Shared Staffing Arrangement with Richmond-upon-Thames London Borough Council.

The Constitution is divided into several parts:

• Part 1: Summary and Explanation provides an overview of the Constitution's purpose and structure.
• Part 2: Articles of the Constitution details the core articles, including the Council's powers, members' roles, citizens' rights, the functions of the Mayor, Executive, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Regulatory and Other Committees, the Standards Committee, officers, decision-making processes, and financial, contractual, and legal matters.
• Part 3: Responsibility for Functions outlines the specific responsibilities of the Full Council, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, the Executive, Regulatory and Other Committees, and the Standards Committee. It also details schemes of delegation to officers and other bodies.
• Part 4: Rules of Procedure includes Standing Orders for the Council, Licensing Committee, Executive, Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information, Officer Employment, Budget and Policy Framework, Financial Regulations, Procurement Regulations, Legal Proceedings, and rules for remote meetings.
• Part 5: Codes contains the Code of Conduct for Members, the Code of Conduct for Employees, and the Code of Corporate Governance.
• Part 6: Members' Allowances Scheme details the allowances to which councillors are entitled.
• Part 7: Management Structure outlines the departmental structure and officer responsibilities.

The report pack provided to attendees included the full text of the Council's Constitution, detailing each article, schedule, and appendix. This included specific provisions on the roles of councillors, the composition and functions of the Executive, the procedures for Overview and Scrutiny Committees, and the responsibilities of officers, including the Head of Paid Service, Chief Finance Officer, and Monitoring Officer. The document also detailed the rules of procedure for various committees, financial regulations, procurement rules, and codes of conduct for both members and employees.

The meeting was scheduled to review and potentially revise these foundational documents that govern the council's operations and accountability.