The Council's Constitution meeting on Friday 06 February 2026 was scheduled to discuss the entirety of the Council's Constitution. This comprehensive document outlines the framework for how the Council operates, makes decisions, and the procedures that are to be followed. It is divided into four main parts: Introduction, Decision Making, Procedure Rules, and Codes and Protocols.

The Council's Constitution

The Council's Constitution serves as the authoritative governance framework for the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is designed to ensure transparent and accountable decision-making and to encourage public involvement. The Constitution is a compilation of various documents, derived from both legislation and local practice, and nothing within it supersedes statutory requirements.

The Constitution is structured into four key parts:

• Part 1: Introduction provides an overview of the Council's governance, detailing how it operates, the roles of Councillors, the Mayor, and the Leader, and the principles guiding decision-making.
• Part 2: Decision Making outlines the Council's decision-making mechanisms, including the Scheme of Delegation to Officers, and details the functions and responsibilities of various committees such as the Finance, Policy and Resources Committee, the Environment, Sustainability, Culture & Sports Committee, the Transport and Air Quality Committee, the Education and Children's Services Committee, and the Adult Social Services, Health & Housing Committee. It also covers the roles of sub-committees like the Quality Accounts Sub-Committee, and regulatory bodies such as the Planning Committee and the Regulatory Committee, including its Licensing Sub-Committee. The Audit, Standards and Statutory Accounts Committee, along with its Hearings Sub-Committee, is also detailed, as are joint committees such as the Special Standing Committee on Heathrow, the Health and Wellbeing Board, Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committees for South West London and Surrey and North West London, Joint Staffing Committees, Joint Appointments Sub-Committees, Joint Pensions Committees, and the Achieving for Children Joint Committee.
• Part 3: Procedure Rules sets out the rules governing how decisions are made, including Council Procedure Rules, Access to Information Procedure Rules, Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules, and specific procedures for joint committees, financial regulations, contract standing orders, officer employment, and SEND transport appeals.
• Part 4: Codes and Protocols establishes the expected standards of behaviour and operational guidelines for Members and Officers. This includes the Members' Code of Conduct, protocols for planning decisions and licensing, guidance on ICT use, social media, and the Council's Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Strategy. It also details the scheme for Members' Allowances and the procedures for handling petitions and webcasting meetings.

The report pack provided a comprehensive overview of the Council's governance structure, detailing the purpose, membership, functions, and reserved matters for each committee and sub-committee. It also outlined the procedural rules for various council activities, from decision-making processes and access to information to financial regulations, contract standing orders, and codes of conduct for both members and employees. The document also included specific protocols for areas such as planning decisions, licensing, and the use of social media, alongside the Council's anti-fraud and anti-corruption strategy and members' allowances scheme.