Hammersmith and Fulham Council has approved updates to its Constitution, ensuring the local government framework reflects current organisational structures and job titles.

The Full Council met on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, to review and formally adopt the proposed amendments. These changes primarily affect the departmental registers of authorities within the People's Services and Finance and Corporate Services departments.

A stylized illustration of a bustling street market, depicting vendors and shoppers amidst stalls and awnings.
A stylized illustration of a bustling street market, depicting vendors and shoppers amidst stalls and awnings.

The decision to approve the updates was moved and seconded, with the report and its recommendations subsequently agreed by the Council. The Constitution sets out how the Council operates, how decisions are made, and the procedures followed to ensure business is conducted in an efficient, transparent, and accountable manner. The Review of the Constitution report indicates that the registers of authorities for People and Finance and Corporate Services have been updated to reflect changes to organisational structures and job titles. Specifically, within the H&F Executive Director for Finance and Corporate Services Register of Authorities , the title 'Head of Fraud' has been replaced with 'Strategic Head of Fraud, Audit, Risk'. Within the H&F People's Services Departmental Register of Authority , the report notes that Where post titles have been amended the authority can be exercised by the new equivalent post until the register is amended.

The key recommendations approved by the Council included:

  1. Approval of updates to the departmental Registers of Authorities detailed in Appendix 1 of the Public reports pack.
  2. Noting the composition of the Cabinet and approving changes to Cabinet Members' Responsibilities and Portfolios outlined in Appendix 1.
  3. Approval of the Deputy Cabinet Member posts and Borough Representative for the Armed Forces Community post and their responsibilities as set out in Appendix 2.
  4. Approval of changes to the Policy and Accountability Committees set out in Appendix 3.
  5. Approval of updates to the constitution detailed in Appendix 4 to reflect organisational changes.
  6. Approval of the creation of the Statutory Independent Panel for Statutory Officer Dismissal, as detailed in Appendix 5.
  7. Approval of the amendment to the Health and Wellbeing Board terms of reference detailed in paragraph 14.
  8. Adoption of the Council's Constitution for the 2026/27 Municipal Year, subject to the approval of the above recommendations.

This review of the Constitution is a statutory requirement, undertaken annually to ensure the council's governing document remains effective, transparent, and accountable. The Review of the Constitution report states that The Constitution is reviewed at least annually to ensure it continues to promote timely, effective, transparent, and lawful decision making reflecting the arrangements Members have put in place for the running of the Council. In-year amendments were previously approved to the Scheme of Delegation to Officers to reflect recent changes in organisational structure and responsibilities of Chief Officers. The Monitoring Officer has the delegated authority to amend the Constitution for changes in law, job titles, structures, rearrangements of job responsibilities, or for general administrative convenience, with extensive changes requiring Full Council approval.

During the discussion of the Review of the Constitution , the report and recommendations were moved, seconded, and agreed by the Council, with no mention of dissenting opinions or debates on this specific item. However, during a separate Special Motion: 10 Year Anniversary of EU Referendum , Councillor Adrian Pascu-Tulbure, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, spoke against the motion, criticising the reopening of old wounds and referencing 'Project Fear' tactics. Councillor Rob Harris also spoke, arguing that democracy involves respecting results and that the motion was divisive.

A graphic displaying five priorities related to markets and street trading, including attracting and retaining traders, addressing economic challenges, demonstrating wider value, professionalizing management, and improving trader relationships.
A graphic displaying five priorities related to markets and street trading, including attracting and retaining traders, addressing economic challenges, demonstrating wider value, professionalizing management, and improving trader relationships.

These constitutional updates are intended to ensure the council's governing document continues to promote timely, effective, transparent, and lawful decision-making, reflecting the arrangements members have put in place for the running of the Council.