The Council’s Constitution

The London Borough of Richmond upon Thames has agreed a new Constitution which sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. Some of these processes are required by the law, while others are a matter for the Council to choose.

The Constitution is divided into 16 Articles which set out the basic rules governing the Council’s business. More detailed procedures and codes of practice are provided in separate rules and protocols at the end of the document.

What’s in the Constitution?

Article 1 of the Constitution commits the Council to provide clear leadership to the community in partnership with residents, businesses and other organisations; support the active involvement of the public in the decision-making process; take decisions efficiently and effectively; identify clearly those responsible for decision making and hold them to public account; and improve the delivery of services to the community. Articles 2 –16 explain the rights of members of the public and how the key parts of the Council operate.

Content list

Constitution of the Council - Contents(pdf, 16KB)

Part 1

• Summary and Explanation (including Glossary of Terms)(pdf, 37KB)

Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution

• Article 1 – The Constitution(pdf, 14KB)
• Article 2 – Members of the Council(pdf, 18KB)
• Article 3 – Members of the Public and the Council(pdf, 18KB)
• Article 4 - The Full Council(pdf, 24KB)
• Article 5 – Chairing the Council (The Role and Function of the Mayor)(pdf, 14KB)
• Article 6 – Overview and Scrutiny Committees(pdf, 25KB)
• Article 7 – The Executive(pdf, 17KB)
• Article 8 – Regulatory and other Committees(pdf, 13KB)
• Article 9 - The Standards Committee(pdf, 18KB)
• Article 10 – Area Committees and Forums(pdf, 42KB)
• Article 11 – Joint Arrangements(pdf, 18KB)
• Article 12 – Officers/Staff(pdf, 26KB)
• Article 13 - Decision Making(pdf, 23KB)
• Article 14 – Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters(pdf, 15KB)
• Article 15 – Review and Revision of the Constitution(pdf, 15KB)
• Article 16 – Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution(pdf, 18KB)
• Schedule 1 – Description of Executive Arrangements(pdf, 37KB)

Part 3 – Responsibility for Functions and Scheme of Delegation

• Section 1 – Responsibility for Local Choice Functions(pdf, 51KB)
• Section 2 – Non-Executive Functions of the Council(pdf, 101KB)
• Section 3 – Functions of the Cabinet and of Executive Members (including Register of Executive Members)(pdf, 81KB)
• Section 4 – Exercise of Executive Functions by Officers(pdf, 146KB)
• Section 5 – Corporate Standards for and Limitations on the Exercise of Allocated and Delegated Functions(pdf, 42KB)
• Section 6 – Exercise of Functions of the Authority by Joint Arrangements(pdf, 21KB)

Part 4 – Rules of Procedure

• Council Procedure Rules [Standing Orders](pdf, 84KB)
• Access to Information Procedure Rules(pdf, 55KB)
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules(pdf, 49KB)
• Executive Procedure Rules(pdf, 29KB)
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules(pdf, 70KB)
• Financial Procedure Rules [Financial Regulations](pdf, 380KB)
• Contracts Procedure Rules [Contract Standing Orders](pdf, 181KB)
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules(pdf, 22KB)

Part 5 – Codes and Protocols

• Members’ Code of Conduct(pdf, 59KB)
• Members' Protocol(pdf, 70KB)
• Members' Protocol - Appendix A - Protocol for Planning and Development Control(pdf, 80KB)
• Members' Protocol - Appendix B - Protocol for Members' use of Personal Computers provided by the Council(pdf, 31KB)
• Members' Protocol - Appendix C - Anti-Fraud and Corruption Strategy(pdf, 94KB)
• Members' Protocol - Appendix D - Licensing Protocol(pdf, 61KB)
• Officers’ Code of Conduct(pdf, 82KB)
• Whistleblowing policy(pdf, 72KB)
• Corporate Governance Code of Conduct(pdf, 42KB)

Part 6 – Members’ Allowances Scheme

• Member's Allowances Scheme(pdf, 53KB)

Part 7 – Management Structure

• Management Structure(pdf, 68KB)

If you have any queries, please contact the Cabinet Secretary on 020 8891 7860 or e-mail democratic.services@richmond.gov.uk