Council Procedure Rules
Councils are revising procedure rules to enhance meeting efficiency, public engagement, and political proportionality.
Croydon Council approved new rules in April 2026 to make its meetings more efficient and inclusive, particularly ahead of local elections. These changes, approved by the General Purposes Committee on April 14, 2026, and the full Council on April 15, 2026, include allowing public questions at budget meetings, introducing written questions for the Executive Mayor and Cabinet, and allocating motions based on political proportionality. This aims to streamline discussions and provide greater opportunities for councillors to hold the Executive Mayor and Cabinet to account.
Elsewhere, Lewisham Council's Governance Committee debated proposed changes to public participation, including the removal of deputations from its rules, in February 2026. Haringey Council began a comprehensive review of its constitution, including procedure rules, in November 2025, while Waltham Forest Council's Audit and Governance Committee reviewed amendments to its rules in October 2025, including increasing time for public statements. Harrow Council is scheduled to discuss its procedure rules at a Council meeting on October 1, 2026.
Key facts
- Croydon Council approved new rules for meetings on April 15, 2026. Source
- Croydon Council's General Purposes Committee approved allowing public questions at budget meetings on April 14, 2026. Source
- Croydon Council's General Purposes Committee approved allocating motions by political proportionality on April 14, 2026. Source
- Lewisham Council's Governance Committee debated removing deputations from Council Procedure Rules in February 2026. Source
- Haringey Council began a comprehensive review of its constitution, including procedure rules, in November 2025. Source
About this summary
This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 1 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.