The law requires us to have a Constitution. This is a document that sets out how we operate, how we make decisions and the procedures we follow to ensure that these are efficient, transparent and accountable to local people. The law requires some content, while other content is for us to choose.
We adopted a new Constitution on 24 July 2023 and it came into force on 4 September 2023.
We have divided the Constitution into parts and sections. We’ve published each separately to assist you in navigating through the document.
There are paper copies of the Constitution at the Town Hall and in libraries.
If you would like your own printed copy of the Constitution, email monitoringofficer@hackney.gov.uk for pricing.
The Constitution is a living document and is subject to change from time to time.
Glossary for the Constitution
The glossary provides definitions of the key terms used throughout the Constitution. In addition to this glossary, you can find micro glossaries in Part Five, Sections A and B which contain more terms relevant to those particular sections.
See Glossary (google doc).
Table of contents for the Constitution
See Table of contents for the Constitution (google doc).
Part 1 – Your council
This section provides information about the:
- borough
- council
- roles and responsibilities of the Elected Mayor and
- Councillors
- role of the Speaker
- overarching role of overview and scrutiny
- role of officers
Read Part 1A – overview (google doc).
Part 2 – Articles of the Constitution
This part of the Constitution sets out the basic rules around how we conduct our business.
Read Part 2A – articles of the Constitution (google doc).
Part 3 – Responsibility for council and executive functions
This part of the Constitution explains who is responsible for the various areas of responsibility (known as executive and non-executive functions) that we have and details how the ability to make decisions can be delegated to Officers.
Read Part 3A – responsibilities for council and executive functions (google doc).
Part 4 – Procedure rules
This section contains the rules we use to govern meetings of our cabinet (also known as the executive) and also how those rules apply to meetings of the various executive committees and sub-committees.
Read Part 4B – Cabinet procedure rules (google doc).
This section explains our arrangements for the conduct of overview and scrutiny and the rules which govern meetings of overview and scrutiny panels or commissions. It also provides information on the various areas of responsibility for our overview and scrutiny commissions.
Read Part 4D – overview and scrutiny procedure rules (google doc).
Part 5 – Finance and contract rules
Part 6 – Public participation
This section explains the rights of the public to access meeting agendas and papers, explains the circumstances in which members of the public might be excluded from council meetings. It also explains how we publicise information relating to key decisions.
Read Part 6C – access to information procedure rules (google doc).
This section explains how members of the public can submit a petition to the council and the rules governing how they will be considered.
Read Part 6D – petitions (google doc).
This section explains how members of the public can submit a deputation (a request to speak about a specific issue affecting the borough or the council) and the rules governing how they will be considered.
Read Part 6E – deputations (google doc).
Part 7 – Elected Mayor and Councillors
Part 9 – Codes and protocols
This section provides guidance on how Councillors who sit on our Planning Sub-Committee must conduct themselves when determining planning applications both in the lead up to and during the meeting. It is supplemental to the Councillor Code of Conduct.
Read Part 9A – Planning Code of Practice (google doc).
This section provides guidance on how Councillors who sit on our Licensing Sub-Committees must conduct themselves when determining licensing applications both in the lead up to and during the meeting. It is supplemental to the Councillor Code of Conduct.
Read Part 9B – Licensing Code of Practice (google doc).
Appendices for the Constitution
This appendix lists those functions and responsibilities which the Council can decide should be exercisable either by the Elected Mayor and cabinet or Full Council (or a committee of Full Council) and records the outcome of those decisions.
See Appendix 2 – Local choice functions (google doc).
Page updated on: 4 September 2023