The Standards Committee of Bury Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to discuss the council's member development programme, the code of conduct, and the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman's annual review. The meeting also included a report on the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, often referred to as Hillsborough Law.

Member Development Programme 2026/27 & Training Requirements

The committee was scheduled to receive an overview of the council's Member Development Programme for 2026/27. This programme is designed to support councillors in their roles and includes core training, specialist training for specific committee roles, optional training, and leadership development. The report detailed mandatory training requirements for all members, such as Code of Conduct training, Corporate Planning and Performance Briefing, and GDPR. It also outlined committee-specific mandatory training for those serving on regulatory or quasi-judicial committees, including the Planning Control Committee and Licensing and Safety Committee. The report also detailed the arrangements for monitoring attendance and completion of mandatory training, as well as the follow-up procedures for non-attendance, which include reminder communications, alternative opportunities, individual follow-up, and potential notification to Group Leaders or prevention from participating in committee business for regulatory committees.

Code of Conduct

A review of the council's Code of Conduct and accompanying guidance for members was scheduled. The report indicated that the Code of Conduct had been previously agreed by the committee and the Council, with an annual review recommended. Members were to review the existing code and guidance, identify any necessary amendments or clarifications, and instruct the Monitoring Officer to revise the documents accordingly. The committee was also to identify areas of the Code that should be emphasised in forthcoming member training sessions. The report noted that the council's Code of Conduct was substantially aligned with the Local Government Association's Model Councillor Code and reflected current sector practice.

Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Annual Review 2025-26

The committee was to be presented with the findings and recommendations of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) for the 2025-26 period. The report outlined that the LGO's jurisdiction covers investigations into complaints against councils and some other authorities, as well as complaints about adult social care providers. For Bury Council, the report indicated a slight decrease in the number of complaints and enquiries received compared to the previous year, with 97 received in 2025/26 compared to 100 in 2024/25. The report detailed the breakdown of complaints by service area, with Education & Children's Services receiving the highest number. It also highlighted that 86% of investigated complaints were upheld, compared to an average of 83% in similar authorities. The council had a 100% compliance rate with LGO recommendations, with a 94% timely compliance rate, which was higher than the 79% seen in similar organisations.

Public Office (Accountability) Bill (Hillsborough Law)

A report was scheduled to provide an overview of the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, commonly known as Hillsborough Law, and its potential implications for local authorities and elected members. The Bill aims to place existing expectations of honesty, openness, and accountability on a clearer statutory footing. Key features highlighted included a statutory duty of candour and assistance in specified inquiries and investigations, requirements for public authorities to promote ethical conduct, and the creation of an offence related to misleading the public. The report noted that the Bill would abolish the common law offence of misconduct in public office and replace it with statutory offences. It also detailed the potential implications for officers, including the need for robust record-keeping and early advice from legal services, and for members, distinguishing between executive and non-executive roles regarding the duty of candour and misleading the public provisions. The report suggested that the Bill should not inhibit political scrutiny but emphasised the importance of distinguishing between political opinion and verified fact.