The Standards Committee met on Monday 6 July 2026 to discuss proposed revisions to the Council's Constitution. The committee recommended to full council the proposed changes to Annex 3, concerning the responsibility for functions, and specifically to the Audit Committee. They also recommended approval of proposed revisions to Annexes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 of the Council's Constitution.

Proposed Revisions to Annex 3: Responsibility for Functions of the Council's Constitution

The committee considered proposed revisions to Annex 3 of the Council's Constitution, specifically concerning the responsibilities of the Audit Committee. Chris Wood, Head of Assurance, presented the report, explaining that the changes aim to align the Audit Committee's responsibilities with the new Global Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) and to clarify its role in relation to internal audit. These standards, which came into effect for the UK public sector in April 2025, place new responsibilities on audit committees.

Councillor Anthony Rowlands, a new member of the committee, sought clarification on GIAS, which Chris Wood explained are the professional standards governing internal audit globally. Nicholas Moss, an independent member, raised two minor technical points: suggesting that agreed recommendations might be more appropriate than recommendations in one instance, and inquiring if reports on issues like bullying and harassment were covered by the whistleblowing policy. Chris Wood clarified that the Audit Committee monitors agreed management actions, not just recommendations, and that complaints are generally outside the Audit Committee's purview unless they relate to broader governance statements. Councillor Lawrence Brass, another new member, inquired about the criteria and eligibility for independent persons, learning they are appointed by the council under the Localism Act 2011¹ to offer views on councillor conduct complaints.

The committee recommended to full council the proposed changes to Annex 3, as outlined in Table 4 of the Council's Constitution.

Proposed Revisions to Annexes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 of the Council's Constitution

Alistair Willoughby, Deputy Leader and Chair of the Scrutiny Committee, and Steve Charteris, Head of Democratic and Statutory Services, presented proposed revisions to several annexes of the Council's Constitution. These changes stem from a review by the cross-party Constitutional Working Group.

Key proposed changes include:

• Annex 11 (Guidelines for Cabinet Panels and Scrutiny Reviews): The scrutiny review section will be removed and integrated into Annex 9. Cabinet Panels will have work programmes, and members can propose items for inclusion. Cabinet will consider motions supported by Cabinet Panels.
• Annex 7 (Standing Orders for the Executive): Flexibility will be introduced to submit questions after the five-day deadline if a report is published late.
• Annex 9 (Standing Orders for Overview and Scrutiny Committee): All scrutiny-related annexes (8, 9, and 10) will be combined into a single annex. Chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and Health Scrutiny Committee will be appointed from an opposition political group. Vice-chairs will be appointed from other political groups. A provision allowing deputy executive members to attend and speak on matters relevant to their portfolio has been added. Officers will notify local members of agenda items affecting their divisions and invite them to attend meetings.
• Annex 6 (Council Standing Orders): Amendments will ensure consistency in deadlines for motions and amendments, with a revised deadline of 6pm on the second working day before a council meeting.

Councillor Eric Buckmaster raised concerns about the proposal for chairs of the Overview and Scrutiny and Health Scrutiny Committees to be appointed from an opposition political group, particularly in the context of a minority administration. He suggested a grading system favouring the largest political group for greater accountability. Councillor Alistair Willoughby countered that this was not a new change and that the practice had largely been to appoint from opposition groups. Councillor Richard Roberts expressed reservations, arguing that smaller parties heading scrutiny committees might not be seen as independent and that previous arrangements felt more comfortable. Councillor Lawrence Brass strongly supported the principle of the chair of scrutiny being from the opposition, stating it was essential for democracy and a common practice in local authorities.

Nicholas Moss, an independent member, raised a point about the use of the term immaterial changes in relation to the Director of Law and Governance's delegated authority, suggesting minor changes might be clearer. He also suggested inserting the word draft before minutes when referring to unapproved minutes. These points were acknowledged as helpful suggestions.

The committee recommended to full council the proposed changes to Annexes 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11, and delegated any consequential changes to the wider constitution to the Director of Law and Governance.