The Constitution Committee of Cardiff Council met on Monday 29 June 2026 to discuss several key updates and proposed changes to the Council's governance and operational procedures. The meeting's agenda included a review of updated Contract Standing Orders, Procurement Rules, and Financial Procedure Rules, as well as proposed amendments to the Constitution concerning the Planning Committee's functions and public speaking rights. Discussions also covered broader constitutional updates, including changes to Cabinet appointments and the handling of petitions, alongside the committee's forward work programme.

Contract Standing Orders & Procurement Rules and Financial Procedure Rules Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the Council's Contract Standing Orders and Procurement Rules, which have been renamed the Contract Procedure Rules (CPR), and the Financial Procedure Rules (FPR). These updates, approved under officer delegated authority, aim to reflect legislative changes and ensure operational alignment. The CPRs have been updated to incorporate the requirements of the Procurement Act 2023 and the Social Partnership and Public Procurement (Wales) Act, introducing changes to procurement thresholds, procedures, and routes. The FPRs have also been reviewed and updated, with new sections added on pensions and wholly owned companies. The report indicated that these updated rules were presented to the committee for information.

Proposed Changes to the Constitution Relating to the Planning Committee

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing proposed changes to the Council's governance arrangements for planning functions, stemming from recommendations by Audit Wales. These proposals aimed to refine the Scheme of Delegations, Planning Committee Procedure Rules, and the Members' Planning Code of Good Practice. Key areas for discussion included:

• Scheme of Delegations: Proposals included defining strategically important and major planning applications with specific thresholds for residential units, commercial floorspace, and Environmental Impact Statements to ensure the Planning Committee focuses on the most significant cases. Changes were also proposed regarding member requests for referrals, objections from statutory consultees, and the handling of petitions, moving towards officer delegation with Chair oversight rather than automatic referral to committee. Applications from council officers and senior management were also reviewed, with a proposal to reserve applications from planning officers with decision-making responsibilities for the Planning Committee, while other senior officer applications would be delegated with Chair consultation.
• Planning Committee Procedure Rules: Proposed changes aimed to introduce formal public speaking rights for objectors, supporters, applicants, and agents at Planning Committee meetings. Time limits for speakers were also to be reviewed, with a proposal for a consistent 4-minute limit for all speakers, including ward members, and a maximum of 5 minutes for multiple ward members speaking on the same application. The deadline for late representations was proposed to be extended to 48 hours before the meeting to allow officers and members more time for review.
• Members' Planning Code of Good Practice: The code was updated to reflect current legislation, council delegations, and best practices, including guidance on social media interactions and non-fettering of discretion. A revised Site Visit Code of Practice was also presented, emphasizing that representations on planning merits should be reserved for the Committee meeting.

Review of Council Meeting Procedure Rules

The committee was scheduled to review potential changes to the rules governing meetings of the full Council and Cabinet. A list of potential amendments, identified through previous workshops and consultations, was presented for discussion. These included proposals related to the timing of Council meetings, supplementary questions at Cabinet, the order of business for Cabinet statements, the introduction of written statements between meetings, and changes to the deadlines for written questions and ordinary motions. The committee was also asked to consider provisions for public questions at Cabinet meetings, deputations at full Council, and an increase in the signature threshold for petitions.

Constitution Update

The committee was to consider a range of recommended constitutional changes. These included amendments to reflect the Leader's authority in appointing Cabinet members, clarifying the designation of the 'Qualified Person' for Freedom of Information Act Section 36 exemptions, and referencing the Trusts Cabinet Committee and officer delegations for trusts governance. Updates were also proposed for responses to government consultations, the Protocol on Member/Officer Relations, Councillor Call for Action procedures, and the allocation of certain licensing functions. Minor amendments to committee membership requirements and other drafting improvements were also on the agenda.

Work Programme 2026-27

The committee was asked to consider its Forward Work Plan for the upcoming municipal year. This plan outlines the topics the committee intends to review and decide upon, aiming to enhance the Council's governance, ensure effective outcomes, and maintain compliance with legal obligations. The draft plan included ongoing reviews of constitutional updates, contract and financial rules, planning rules, the petition scheme, and protocols on member/officer relations, as well as the development of criteria for Councillor Calls for Action.

Urgent Items and Date of Next Meeting

The agenda also included a slot for any urgent items that may have arisen, and the date of the next meeting was scheduled for 28th September 2026 at 5pm.