The Standards Committee of Newham Council was scheduled to meet on 10 December 2025 to discuss a range of issues related to ethical governance and conduct within the council. The agenda included an overview of the committee's role, a review of its workplan, an update on the ethical framework, and a discussion of the government's response to a consultation on strengthening standards in local authorities. The committee was also expected to discuss complaints and consider excluding the press and public from certain items.

Here's a more detailed look at the topics the committee was scheduled to address:

Overview of the Role of the Committee

The committee was scheduled to discuss its role in promoting ethical governance and high standards of conduct across the council. According to the report pack, the Standards Committee has a key role in:

ensuring Elected Members understand and comply with the Code of Conduct, overseeing induction and training for Elected Members and providing advice and guidance in so far as it relates to the council's ethical governance.

The Interim Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, Janie Berry, was expected to present an overview of the committee's responsibilities, referencing the council's constitution, the Nolan Principles, and the CIPFA/SOLACE Delivering Good Governance in Local Government Framework 2016. The discussion was also set to include the committee's role in the council's improvement journey following a Local Government Association Corporate Peer Challenge in 2023 and a non-statutory Best Value Notice from the government in May 2025.

Strengthening Standards and Conduct Framework

The committee was scheduled to consider the government's response to its consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England. The consultation, launched in December 2024, sought views on measures to improve conduct among elected and co-opted members, including a mandatory code of conduct and powers to suspend councillors for serious breaches.

The government's response indicated support for strengthening sanctions, introducing powers to suspend councillors for up to six months, and withholding allowances for breaches of the code of conduct. The proposals also included a mandatory code of conduct for all local authorities and a new national appeals function.

Ethical Framework Update

The committee was expected to receive an update on the council's ethical framework, including declarations of interest made at council meetings between 7 June 2025 and 28 November 2025. The report also covered declarations of gifts and hospitality received by councillors during the same period. The report noted that some declarations of gifts and hospitality were recorded outside of the required 28-day timeframe, due in part to submissions being sent to the Chief Executive's Office instead of Democratic Services.

Standards Committee Workplan

The committee was scheduled to discuss its workplan for the 2025/2026 municipal year. The proposed workplan included standing items such as complaints updates and reports of dispensations granted by the Monitoring Officer. Other items for consideration included a review of compliance with the non-statutory Best Value Notice, the Member Development Programme, the Member Induction Programme, mandatory training, and various protocols related to member and officer conduct.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The committee was asked to consider a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting for specific items of business. This was on the grounds that the items might involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Local Government Act 1972.

Other Matters

The agenda also included:

• Appointment of a chair and deputy chair.
• Apologies for absence.
• Declarations of interest.
• Confirmation of the minutes of the previous meeting.
• Update on complaints.
• Date of the next meeting.

The following councillors were scheduled to attend the meeting: Councillor Caroline Oladapo, Councillor Sabia Kamali, Majority Group Assistant Whip, Councillor Stephen Brayshaw, Majority Group Chief Whip, and Councillor Mehmood Mirza, Leader of Newham Independents Group. The following independent members were scheduled to attend the meeting: Luís Hui, Paul Hothi, William Llorel-Antoine, and Ashuk Hussain.