The General Purposes Committee of Tower Hamlets Council met on Tuesday 8 September 2026 to discuss updates to the council's constitution. Key discussions included the development of a new constitution portal, upcoming changes to the Local Government Pension Scheme and the National Planning Scheme of Delegation, and updates to Directorate Schemes of Delegation. The committee noted these changes and agreed to bring forward further information on the constitution's compliance with the Public Sector Quality Duty.

Constitution Update

The committee received a comprehensive update on the council's constitution, which is considered a living document that is regularly reviewed and updated. Matthew Mannion, Corporate Head of Democratic and Governance Services, explained that amendments can be made by officers with delegated authority or through proposals submitted to the committee.

A significant development highlighted was the creation of a new Constitution Portal. This project, which aims to improve the accessibility and searchability of the constitution, has been shortlisted for an award by the Association of Democratic Services Officers (ADSO). The new portal will feature a themed structure, grouping information by subject area such as Decision Making, The Mayor and Executive, and Officers, making it easier for both councillors and the public to navigate. Councillor Peter Golds and Councillor Shafi Ahmed Ahmed praised the new portal, with Councillor Golds noting its improved accessibility on mobile devices. Councillor Kabir Ahmed added that the portal would enhance public accountability by making it easier for residents to understand how councillors and the council should operate.

The committee was also informed of upcoming changes to the constitution driven by government legislation. These include reforms to the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), stemming from the Fit for the Future programme and the Pension Schemes Act 2026. These changes will necessitate amendments to the council's arrangements and are scheduled to be presented to Full Council in October.

Additionally, a new National Planning Scheme of Delegation (NPSD) is being introduced as part of wider planning reforms, which will come into effect on 31 October 2026. This will impact the types of planning applications that can be presented to committees and introduce new gateway tests. These changes will also be presented to Full Council in October.

The committee noted updates to the Directorate Schemes of Delegation, which outline the powers delegated to officers within specific directorates. These included changes to the Housing and Regeneration Scheme of Delegation due to the Renters' Rights Act 2025, which introduced new provisions related to private rented sector housing and civil penalties. Updates were also made concerning Environmental Health functions under the Housing Act 2004.

Councillor Martin Parker raised a question about the process for proposing amendments to the constitution and whether the constitution had been checked for compliance with the Public Sector Quality Duty and the Equality Act 2010. Mr Mannion explained that members can email the Monitoring Officer with proposed changes, which would typically be reviewed by the Constitution Working Group. He stated that confirmation regarding the Public Sector Quality Duty review could not be provided at this meeting and would be brought back for consideration.

The committee resolved to note the content of the report, upcoming constitution changes, and the progress of the Constitution Working Group, as well as the changes to Directorate Schemes of Delegation. They also agreed that confirmation on the constitution's review by the Public Sector Quality Committee and its compliance with the Equality Act 2010 would be brought back for consideration.

Work Plan

The committee reviewed its work plan for the municipal year. Members suggested incorporating periodic deep dives into specific areas within the General Purposes Committee's remit. Matthew Mannion agreed to identify relevant areas for such reviews. The committee also noted that the timing and scale of constitutional changes would influence how they are presented, with significant or urgent items potentially requiring separate reports or extraordinary meetings.

The committee resolved to note the General Purposes Work Plan and for the Corporate Head of Democratic and Governance Services to identify areas for periodic deep dive reviews.