The London Borough of Lambeth Council Constitution was scheduled for discussion at a meeting on Monday 01 June 2026. The report pack provided attendees with a comprehensive document outlining the proposed structure and operational framework for the council.

The Council Constitution

The primary item scheduled for discussion was the Constitution of the London Borough of Lambeth¹. This document serves as the rulebook for how the council operates, detailing the principles, structures, and procedures that govern decision-making and the allocation of functions.

The Constitution is divided into several parts, covering:

• Part I: The Constitution

  • This section provides a summary of the Constitution's purpose, outlining its ambition to establish a framework for decision-making that involves residents, fosters community leadership, and promotes high standards of conduct. It also details the principles underpinning the Constitution, which are closely aligned with the council's Lambeth 2030 vision for a borough with social and climate justice at its heart. The ambitions for Lambeth 2030 include making neighbourhoods fit for the future, making Lambeth one of London's safest boroughs, and making it a place where everyone can call home. The Constitution aims to support these ambitions by ensuring equity and justice are central to all council activities.
  • It outlines the relationship between residents and the Council, detailing residents' rights to vote, petition, and access information.
  • The role and functions of the Full Council, including its reserved powers, were to be discussed.
  • The ceremonial and chairing roles of the Mayor and the Chair of the Council were also detailed.
  • Information on Members of the Council, including their eligibility, election, terms of office, and key roles, was provided.
  • The Lambeth Council Petition Scheme was outlined, detailing how residents can submit petitions and how the council will respond.
  • The role of Officers in advising and implementing decisions was described.
  • The framework for Decision-making and the allocation of functions between the Council and the Executive was to be considered, distinguishing between executive and non-executive decisions, and defining key decisions based on financial impact or community significance.
  • The process for the Review and Revision of the Constitution was also scheduled for discussion.

• Part II: Executive Functions

  • This part details the role and procedures of the Cabinet, including its purpose, terms of reference, membership, and how meetings are conducted. It also outlines the functions of Cabinet Advisory Panels, such as the Fostering and Adoption Panel, Corporate Parenting Board, Equity and Justice Member Panel, and Secure Accommodation Panel.
  • The Health and Wellbeing Board's purpose, terms of reference, membership, and working arrangements were to be reviewed.
  • The Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules were to be discussed, outlining the process for developing the framework and how decisions outside of this framework would be handled.
  • Functions delegated by the Leader to the Cabinet, Cabinet Committees, or Individual Cabinet Members were to be detailed.
  • Local Choice Functions, which the Council can decide to delegate to officers, Cabinet, or individual Cabinet Members, were also listed.

• Part III: Scrutiny Functions

  • This section covers the introduction to scrutiny, the procedure rules for Scrutiny Committees and Commissions, and arrangements for Public Involvement.
  • The general powers and roles of scrutiny were to be examined, along with the specific terms of reference for the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and its Scrutiny Commissions.
  • Details on who may sit on scrutiny committees/commissions, including co-opted members and education representatives, were provided.
  • The procedures for Meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, including quorum, chairing, and agenda items, were scheduled for discussion.
  • The process for Policy Review and Development through scrutiny was to be considered.
  • The rights of scrutiny committee/commission members to Documents and Information were outlined.
  • The procedures for Call-in of decisions and Councillor Call for Action (CCfA) were to be discussed.

• Part IV: Full Council and Committees Procedure Rules

  • This part details the procedures for the Annual Meeting of the Council, Ordinary Meetings, and Extraordinary Meetings.
  • It also covers Council Agenda Timings, the Appointment of Members and Substitute Members of Committees and Sub-Committees, and the Date, Time and Place of Meetings.
  • Rules regarding the Chair of Meeting, Quorum, and Duration of Meeting (Guillotine) were to be reviewed.
  • Procedures for Public Involvement in Council, Committee, and Sub-Committee Meetings, including public notice questions, petitions, and deputations, were scheduled.
  • Rules for Council Question Time and Motions on Notice at Council Meetings were also included.
  • The Rules of Debate, Previous Decisions and Motions, Voting, and the process for Minutes were to be covered.
  • Finally, this part details Record of Attendance, Photography and Audio-Visual Recordings of Meetings, Exclusion of Public and Press, Members' Conduct, and General Disturbance.

• Part V: Scheme of Delegation

  • This section outlines the Scheme of Delegation and Financial Regulations, including the general principles of delegation to officers and specific delegations to Chief Officers such as the Chief Executive, Corporate Directors, and Director of Legal and Governance. It also details Statutory Functions which are Allocated to Officers and Functions which are Delegated to Officers.

• Part VI: Ethical Governance

  • This part covers the Standards Functions, including the role of the Standards Committee and the Standards (Hearings) Sub-Committee.
  • It details the Members' Code of Conduct, including arrangements for dealing with standards allegations and the complaint form, as well as the Code of Conduct for Members and for Co-opted Members of Council Committees, Sub-Committees and Scrutiny Commissions.
  • The Officers' Code of Conduct and the policy on Politically Restricted Posts were also included.

• Part VII: Access to Information

  • This part outlines the Access to Information Procedure Rules, detailing the public's rights to attend meetings, access agendas and reports before meetings, and inspect minutes and background papers after meetings. It also specifies when access by the public to meetings and reports may be excluded.
  • Councillors' rights of access to information were also detailed.

• Part VIII: Rules, Codes and Protocols

  • This section includes the Local Code of Corporate Governance for Lambeth Council, outlining its core principles and the framework for its implementation.
  • Various protocols were also detailed, including the Protocol on Councillor and Officer Relations, Social Media Guidance for Councillors, the Protocol for Use of Council Resources by Councillors, and the Gifts and Hospitality Protocol for Councillors.
  • The Policy on Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks for Elected Members was also included.

• Part IX: Officer Employment Procedure Rules

  • This part details the rules governing the Recruitment and Appointment of officers, including specific procedures for Chief Officers and Deputy Chief Officers, and the Executive Objection Procedure. It also covers Disciplinary Action and Dismissal for various levels of officers.

• Part X: Members' Allowances

  • This section outlines the Members' Allowances and Duties, including the Basic Allowance, Civic Expenses, and Key Duties of councillors. It also details the Childcare and Dependent Care Allowance, Travel and Subsistence Expenses, and procedures for Conferences etc.
  • A Summary of Allowances for Financial Year 2026/27, including Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs) and Civic Allowances, was provided.

• Part XI: Partnership Arrangements and Outside Bodies

  • This part introduces Joint Arrangements and Principal Consultative and Partnership Bodies, such as the Lambeth Together Care Partnership and the Western Riverside Waste Authority. It also details Functions discharged by London Councils Joint Committees and Functions discharged by other bodies.

• Part XII: Management Structure

  • This section refers to the Council's senior management structure chart, available upon request.