The Constitution of the London Borough of Hounslow met on Tuesday 16 June 2026 to consider the adoption of a revised constitution for the council. The agenda indicated a comprehensive review of the council's governing documents, covering various procedural rules, codes of conduct, and financial regulations.

The Constitution of the London Borough of Hounslow

The primary focus of the meeting was the proposed adoption of a new constitution for the London Borough of Hounslow. This document outlines the fundamental rules and principles by which the council operates. The agenda indicated that the meeting was scheduled to review several key sections of the constitution, including:

• Summary and Explanation: This section was intended to provide an overview and explanation of the proposed constitutional changes.
• Articles: This part of the constitution would detail the core articles governing the council's structure and functions.
• Matters Reserved to the Council and Terms of Reference and Delegation of Duties to Committees and Sub-Committees: This section was scheduled to define which decisions are exclusively made by the full council and how responsibilities are delegated to various committees and sub-committees. An addendum was also listed concerning functions not to be the responsibility of the Cabinet, and a section on Local Choice Function was to be considered.
• Terms of Reference and Delegation of duties to the Cabinet, Cabinet Members (Portfolio Holders), Executive Advisory Panels and Consultative Forum: This part of the agenda focused on how powers are delegated to the Cabinet, individual Cabinet Members, and other advisory and consultative bodies.
• Delegations to Officers: This section was to detail the extent to which decision-making powers can be delegated to council officers.

Procedural Rules

A significant portion of the agenda was dedicated to reviewing the various procedural rules that govern the council's operations:

• Council Procedure Rules: These rules dictate how the full council meetings are conducted.
• Committee Procedure Rules: These outline the procedures for meetings of council committees.
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules: These rules govern the work of the overview and scrutiny function, which is responsible for reviewing council decisions and performance.
• Cabinet Procedure Rules: These rules detail how the Cabinet operates and makes decisions.
• Access to Information Procedure Rules: This section was to cover how the public and councillors can access information held by the council.
• Contract Procedure Rules: These rules set out the procedures for the council entering into contracts.
• Finance Procedures and Regulations: This was a substantial section, including an addendum on the Financial Schedule, detailing how the council manages its finances.
• Members Complaints Procedures: This outlined the process for handling complaints made against councillors.
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules: These rules govern the process for developing and approving the council's budget and policy framework.
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules: These rules relate to the employment of council officers.

Codes of Conduct and Protocols

The meeting was also scheduled to consider several codes of conduct and protocols designed to ensure ethical behaviour and good governance:

• Members Code of Conduct: This sets out the standards of behaviour expected of councillors.
• Gifts and Hospitality Protocol: This protocol details how councillors should handle gifts and hospitality.
• Protocol on Councillor - Officer Relations: This was to define the working relationship between elected councillors and council officers.

Other Governance Matters

Further items on the agenda included:

• Special Responsibility Allowances: This section was to address the allowances paid to councillors for specific roles and responsibilities.
• Petitions Scheme: This outlined the process for submitting and responding to petitions from residents.
• Planning Code and Licensing Code: These sections were to detail the procedures for handling planning applications and licensing matters.
• Access to Information: A further section on access to information was listed.
• Pay Policy Statement: Although not formally part of the constitution, the Pay Policy Statement, which outlines the council's approach to senior pay, was included for consideration.