The Standards Advisory Committee is scheduled to meet to discuss updates to the register of interests, improvements to political culture, and the handling of code of conduct matters. The committee will also look at the outcome of a government consultation on member conduct and consider dispensations under the Localism Act.

Government Consultation on the Member Code of Conduct

The committee will be provided with the government's response to its consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities. The key issues that the government is expected to progress are:

• Introducing a mandatory code of conduct.
• A requirement to convene formal standards committees.
• Support for both complainants and the subject of any complaint during the investigation process.
• Introduction of a 'right for review'.
• New powers to suspend elected members for a maximum of 6 months for serious code of conduct breaches including the withholding of allowances, and the power to suspend for up to three months on an interim basis in the most serious cases.
• A new disqualification criteria for those suspended more than once in a five year period, and a new national appeal mechanism.

The Government Consultation on the Member Code of Conduct - outcome document includes a summary of the responses to the consultation, and the government's intended course of action.

Report on Members' Code of Conduct matters

The committee will receive an update on the monitoring information for complaints and investigations relating to alleged breaches of the council's Code of Conduct for Members. According to the Report on Members Code of Conduct matters, since the last report, 11 new complaints of alleged breach of the Code of Conduct have been received, and there are currently 11 open complaints. The most common theme of the complaints is an alleged lack of responsiveness by Members to their constituents.

Continuous Improvement Plan

The committee will be updated on the Continuous Improvement Plan's (CIP) workstream to improve the council's political culture. The Continuous Improvement Plan update December 2025 report includes a draft 'Members Pledge' and asks the committee to endorse the proposal to include additional wording in the draft Pledge. The report also summarises a package of initiatives to address challenges of the Councillor role: the 'Member Experience', based upon four themes:

• Clear, mutual expectations around member roles.
• Developing leadership skills under pressure.
• Supporting Officers to work in a political environment
• Supporting Inclusive Debate

Register of Interests and Gifts and Hospitality Quarterly Update

The committee will receive an update on the Members' Register of Interests and declarations of gifts and hospitality submitted by Members. The Register of Interests and Gifts and Hospitality Quarterly Update report notes that reminders are sent to all Members via the Members' Bulletin to ensure that their declarations are up to date. The timetable for reminders over the next 12 months is set out below:

Member Learning and Development Yearly Update

The committee will receive an update on the Member Learning and Development Programme, which provides opportunities for Members to expand on their knowledge and keep up to date with changes. The Member Learning and Development Yearly Update report notes that these opportunities are generally in the form of:

• Committee specific training
• Training and development sessions scheduled as part of the annual learning and development plan
• Member briefing sessions on policy areas/developments
• Programmes run by the LGA (or other external bodies) for councillors
• Individual training identified through a Member's Personal Development Plan and including mentoring and/or coaching opportunities.

The report also includes a summary of spend against budget, and notes that the Member Learning and Development Steering Group will review the council's work against the requirements of the LGA Member Learning and Development Charter Mark Plus following the election and the completion of the Member Induction programme.

Dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011

The committee will be informed of any dispensations in relation to disclosable pecuniary interests¹ (DPI's) under section 33 of the Localism Act 2011. The Dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 report notes that there have been no specific Dispensations granted at meetings since the last report in July 2025, but there is a continuing General Dispensation to all Members for their current four-year term of office to be present, speak and vote where they would otherwise have a DPI in the following matters:

a) Housing: where the Councillor (or spouse or partner) holds a tenancy or lease with the Council as long as the matter does not relate to the particular tenancy or lease of the Councillor (their spouse or partner);

b) Council Tax: setting the council tax or a precept;

c) Determining an allowance, travelling expense, payment or indemnity for Councillors;

d) Council Officer pay where this impacts on Member Allowances.