Council constitution

Tower Hamlets council constitution sets out how we operate, how decisions are made and the procedures which are followed to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people.

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Part 1 – Index, summary and explanation (pdf 38k)

Part 2 – Articles of the constitution (pdf 114k)

• Article 1   The Constitution
• Article 2   Members of the Council
• Article 3   Citizens and the Council
• Article 4   The Full Council
• Article 5   Chairing the Council
• Article 6   Overview and Scrutiny
• Article 7   The Executive
• Article 8   Regulatory and other Committees
• Article 9   The Standards Committee
• Article 10  Local Strategic Partnership and Local Area Partnerships
• Article 11  Joint Arrangements
• Article 12  Officers
• Article 13  Decision-Making
• Article 14  Finance, Contracts and Legal Matters
• Article 15  Review and Revision of the Constitution
• Article 16  Suspension, Interpretation and Publication of the Constitution
• Schedule 1 Description of Executive Arrangements

Part 3 – Responsibility for functions (pdf 293k)

• Council Functions
• Executive Functions
• Council and Statutory Bodies
• The Executive
• Chief Officers
• Scheme of Management
• Limitations
• Delegated Decision-Making – General Principles
• Interpretation Scheme of Management: Part A (Corporate Delegations)
• Proper Officers
• Advisory Bodies and Working Parties
• Specific Delegations

Part 4 – Rules of procedure (pdf 307k)

• Council Procedure Rules
• Access to Information Procedure Rules
• Budget and Policy Framework Procedure Rules
• Executive Procedure Rules
• Overview and Scrutiny Procedure Rules
• Financial Procedure Rules
• Contracts Procedure Rules
• Development Procedure Rules
• Officer Employment Procedure Rules

Part 5 – Codes and protocols (pdf 259k)

• Code of Conduct for Members
• Planning Code of Conduct
• Licensing Code of Conduct
• Member/Officer Protocol
• Employees’ Code of Conduct

Part 6 – Members’ allowances scheme (pdf 38k)

Part 7 – Management structure (pdf 28k)

Part 8 – Directorate delegations (scheme of management) (pdf 1k)

• 8.1 - Adults Health and Wellbeing (pdf 95k)
• 8.2 - Chief Executive's (pdf 80k)
• 8.3 Children's Services (pdf 139k)
• 8.4 Communities, Localities and Culture (pdf 169k)
• 8.5 Development and Renewal (pdf 88k)
• 8.6 Resources (pdf 47k)
• 8.7 Functions allocated between London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Tower Hamlets Homes (pdf 47k)
• 8.8 Tower Hamlets Homes Schemes of Delegation (pdf 75k)

How to contact us

Legal Services
Town Hall
Mulberry Place
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG

Tel: 020 7364 4443
Fax: 020 7364 4804