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Issue - meetings

Annual Standards Update

 

 

Meeting: 27/05/2025 - Audit and Governance Committee (Item 15)

15 Annual Standards Update pdf icon PDF 559 KB

Summary/Purpose

To present the Audit and Governance Committee with standards updates and issues, including Code of Conduct Complaints for the year ending 31 March 2025.

 

Recommendations

That Committee resolves to:

1.     Note the update for the financial year 2024 - 2025.

2.     Note the Committee on Standards in Public Life's response to the Government’s consultation: “Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England”.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received an update on Code of Conduct complaints and related standards matters for the year ending 31 March 2025. Key points included:

  • 39 formal complaints were received, consistent with the previous year and significantly higher than two years prior. Most complaints related to town and parish councillors.
  • Allegations included bullying and harassment, failure to treat others with respect, and failure to declare interests. Complaints were increasingly complex and often involved multiple allegations.
  • Many complaints were dismissed at the initial assessment stage as councillors were not acting in an official capacity, a distinction that was often unclear, particularly on social media.
  • There was a growing trend of complaints being used as tools for personal disputes or retaliation.
  • The volume and complexity of complaints had become resource-intensive, with more cases being referred to the Counter Fraud and Enforcement Unit.
  • The Council engaged with Operation Forward, a national initiative on councillor safety, including a briefing with Gloucestershire Constabulary.
  • A consultation on reforms to the standards system had closed in February. The response from the Committee for Standards in Public Life was included in the report, with potential legislative changes anticipated but no confirmed timeline.
  • Members were encouraged to support good conduct and governance in their interactions with town and parish councils, recognising both the challenges and the valuable work being done.

 

The Committee discussed the adoption and application of the Code of Conduct across local councils. It was confirmed that all town and parish councils had been required to have a Code of Conduct since 2011 with no indication that any had failed to adopt one.

 

Concerns were raised about the lack of consistent induction or training for new or co-opted parish councillors. This was identified as a potential factor in the rise of conduct-related complaints.

 

The Committee noted that while all town and parish councils had adopted a Code of Conduct, many based on the National Association of Local Councils’ model, some may not have reviewed their codes in recent years. Members were encouraged to prompt local councils to review their codes, especially if not updated within the last three to four years.

 

RESOLVED: The Committee APPROVED the appointment of Cllrs Robbins, Mansilla, and Wilkins as members of the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee.

 

Voting record:

For - 4, Against - 0,  Abstentions - 0,  Absent/Did not vote – 0

RESOLVED: The Audit and Governance Committee NOTED the update for the financial year 2024 – 2025 and the Committee on Standards in Public Life's response to the Government’s consultation: “Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England”.

 

 

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