The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Council's Constitution was scheduled for discussion at a meeting on Monday 7 September 2026. The meeting's agenda focused on the entirety of the council's governing document, outlining its structure, procedures, and codes of conduct.

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Constitution

The meeting's report pack detailed the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames Constitution, a comprehensive document designed to provide residents, businesses, partners, stakeholders, Members, and Officers with a clear understanding of how the council operates. The Constitution is divided into seven parts:

• Part 1 – Introduction: This section provides an overview of the council's operational framework, key constitutional elements, and public rights.
• Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution: This part outlines the different bodies within the council and their respective roles and responsibilities. Article 3 specifically details opportunities for citizen participation in decision-making.
• Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions: This section delineates how council functions are allocated and which decision-making body or individual holds responsibility for specific decisions. It includes Terms of Reference for various committees and a Scheme of Delegations.
• Part 4 – Rules of Procedure: This part sets out the detailed procedural rules governing council business, including meeting procedures, access to information, call-in procedures, contract regulations, financial responsibilities, and officer employment rules.
• Part 5 – Codes and Protocols: This part contains codes of conduct for Members and Officers, as well as protocols governing Member/Officer relations, planning, and the relationship between the Leader and Chief Executive.
• Part 6 – Members' Allowances Scheme: This outlines the allowances paid to the Mayor, councillors, and co-opted members to cover the costs associated with their council duties.
• Part 7 – Glossary of Terms: This section provides explanations for key terms used throughout the Constitution.

The report pack also included a version control log detailing revisions made to the Constitution, with the most recent update noted as 7 September 2026, concerning the Members' Allowance Scheme for 2026-2027. The Constitution itself is intended to enable clear leadership, support public involvement, help councillors represent constituents effectively, ensure efficient decision-making, and hold decision-makers accountable. It also details the rights of residents and members of the public, including the right to vote, contact councillors, attend meetings, access information, petition the council, ask questions, and complain about council procedures or councillor conduct. The document also outlines the roles and responsibilities of elected councillors and council officers, including statutory officers such as the Chief Executive, Monitoring Officer, and Chief Finance Officer. The structure of the council's decision-making, including Strategic Committees, Neighbourhood Committees, and Regulatory Committees, was also detailed.