None.

The Monitoring Officer has submitted a report to seek the comments in relation to the Government’s consultation on changes to the Standards regime.

Recommendation(s): That Standards Committee:

1.    Note the Government’s consultation ‘Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England” on proposed changes to the standards regime including the proposals of creating more significant sanctions for members found in breach and the possibility of an established independent body to deal with standards issues.

2.    Note that this has been shared with group leaders and the Independent Person for them to also respond.

3.    Confirm whether the Committee would like to submit any responses and, if so, confirm what those responses should be.

The Director of Law, Governance and Strategy (Monitoring Officer) had submitted a report to seek the views of the Committee in relation to the Government’s consultation on possible changes to the Standards regime. The Deputy Monitoring Officer was present to respond to questions.

The Chair outlined the purpose of the report, and the nature of the discussion required from the Committee.

The Committee debated how to approach this discussion. Councillor Djafari-Marbini expressed a preference to discuss the consultation in detail. Councillor Goddard agreed, noting that the Committee is the forum in which to give feedback on some pertinent issues within the consultation on behalf of the Council. Councillor Pressel expressed a preference to submit responses on a personal basis, and not to discuss the report extensively within the meeting.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that individual responses would allow for subjective views to be expressed and acknowledged that reaching consensus within the meeting could be challenging. She suggested that the Committee could consider some questions which require more detailed responses. On this basis, the Chair instructed the Committee that she would offer time for debate on a selection of questions which request comments or on which the Monitoring Officer had not been in a position to suggest a response.

The Committee proceeded to discuss the following questions:

Question 23

Councillor Goddard noted that the government should provide more clarity around the term ‘suspension’ and the Chair emphasised the importance of ensuring that the financial circumstances of individual councillors is considered. Councillor Djafari-Marbini emphasised that income must be considered with suspension considerations and that persons should not be suspended prior to the conclusion of any necessary investigation as this would not be consistent with other workplaces. The Chair agreed that these comments should be added to the consultation response.

Question 24

Councillor Goddard again noted that any response depends on the definition of suspension used within the consultation. The Chair also thought that this should build on the work that is being done by IPSA. Again, it was concluded that the government need to provide more clarity.

Questions 32-35

The collection of questions focused on misconduct and appeals. In relation to question 32, Councillor Goddard noted that he would respond ‘yes’ and agrees with immediate disqualification for cases of gross misconduct using the examples provided. On question 33, he also supported the right for members to appeal decisions, and in regards question 34, noted that this must occur within a sensible timeframe. Councillor Djafari-Marbini expressed agreement with these comments. Finally, in regards question 35, Councillor Goddard was unsure as to whether allowing complainants to appeal decisions not to investigate their complaints would permit excessive repetition of vexatious complaints. The Chair supported the comments for submission to the consultation response.

Councillor Pressel left the meeting.

Question 36

Councillor Djafari-Marbini referred to questions 8 and 9, noting a preference that independent persons should chair standards committees to ensure faith in the process from the public. She requested this be added to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 16.

If the Committee wishes to exclude the press and the public from the meeting during consideration of any aspects of the preceding agenda items it  will be necessary for Council to pass a resolution in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 specifying the grounds on which their presence could involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in specific paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act if and so long as, in all the circumstances of the case, the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information. (The Access to Information Procedure Rules – Section 15 of the Council’s Constitution – sets out the conditions under which the public can be excluded from meetings of the Council).

The Committee resolved that under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining items of business on the grounds that their presence would involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Head of Law, Governance, and Strategy has submitted a report to determine next steps following the conclusion of an investigation into complaints against two members that they have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct.

Recommendation(s): That the Standards Committee resolves to:

1.    Note the investigation report appended to the report as Appendix 2 (on the exempt part of the agenda)

2.    Decide whether the complaints to which the investigation report relate, that two members of the Council breached the Members’ Code of Conduct, should be dealt with by local resolution or local hearing before the Standards Committee.

The Director of Law, Governance, and Strategy had submitted a report to determine next steps following the conclusion of an investigation into complaints against two members that they have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct. The Deputy Monitoring Officer was present to respond to questions.

The Standards Committee resolved to:

1. Note the investigation report appended to the report as Appendix 2 (on the exempt part of the agenda)
2. Recommend that complaints against both Councillors should be dealt with at a local hearing before the Standards Committee.

The Committee is scheduled to meet at 6.00pm on the following dates:

·       11 March 2025

·       3 July 2025

·       13 November 2025

The Committee noted the dates of future meetings.