The General Purposes Committee of Tower Hamlets Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, 17 March 2026. The meeting agenda includes discussions on preparations for the upcoming 2026 elections, updates to the council's constitution, and the member induction programme.

2026 Election Preparation

The committee is scheduled to receive a verbal update on the preparations for the 2026 elections. This will likely cover the ongoing work to ensure the smooth running of the borough-wide Mayor poll, scheduled for Thursday, 7 May 2026, and the election of 45 councillors across 20 wards. The Returning Officer, Stephen Halsey, Chief Executive, holds ultimate responsibility for these elections. Preparations are reportedly progressing ahead of schedule, with various directors appointed as Deputy Returning Officers. The Mayoral count will revert to a 'first past the post' system. The report pack details the logistics, including the 76 polling places and 110 polling stations, with efforts underway to secure a replacement venue for the demolished Exmouth Hall. A comprehensive timetable of events will be published on the council's website. The electoral process involves monthly, and later fortnightly, 'Project Planning Board' meetings, attended by key council departments, the Electoral Commission, and the Metropolitan Police. Nomination details are set to be published on 30 March 2026, with a submission deadline of 4pm on 09 April 2026. Election staffing will be managed independently by Electoral Services in January 2026. The verification and counting process is scheduled to take place at the Platinum Suite in the Excel Exhibition Centre, commencing on Friday, 08 May 2026, with the Mayoral results followed by the borough ward count on Saturday, 09 May 2026. A digital polling register will be used for the first time, allowing voters to scan their photo ID before ballot papers are issued. Postal votes are now valid for a maximum of three years, requiring approximately 14,000 Tower Hamlets voters to reapply by 31 January 2026 to maintain their entitlement.

Constitution Update - New Constitution and New Committee Procedure Rules

A significant update to the council's Constitution is scheduled for discussion. This includes proposals for a new hosting system to enhance accessibility and navigation, with the Constitution content to be organised thematically. New sections are proposed for Committee Procedure Rules and a Council and Committees Structure Chart. These changes aim to address weaknesses identified in the current presentation and content, making the document more user-friendly and transparent. The report highlights the transition to a new system, with a draft available at https://constitution.opencouncil.network/tower-hamlets/. The proposed structure is divided into nine parts, including sections on 'Decision Making', 'Members', and 'Officers', alongside supplementary documents. The report also details the introduction of new Committee Procedure Rules, designed to better suit the council's committees than the current Council Procedure Rules. A Committee structure chart is also to be included to provide a visual guide to the council's committee system. These proposed changes will be forwarded to the Full Council for final approval and implementation planned for the 2026-2027 municipal year.

Member Induction Programme 2026

The committee will review the Member Induction Programme for 2026, which is being prepared in anticipation of the May 2026 local elections. This programme is designed to equip both new and returning councillors with the necessary knowledge and skills for their roles. It covers administrative tasks, such as ID collection and website updates, as well as a series of training sessions and seminars. The plan has been developed with input from various council teams, the Transformation and Assurance Board, the Member Learning and Development Steering Group, and guidance from the Local Government Association (LGA). Key elements include a pre-election communication strategy, a welcome brochure containing essential information, and a registration process for new councillors. The training programme, running from May to July, will focus on skills development rather than solely service area briefings, and will include sessions on political culture, ethics, committee participation, and IT skills. Mandatory training for the Ward Councillor Role Profile is also outlined. The programme aims to ensure councillors can effectively perform their duties, understand the council's priorities, and engage with the continuous improvement journey. Following induction, members will have the opportunity to create Personal Development Plans with an external provider.

The meeting agenda also includes a verbal update on the 2026 Election Preparation.