The Standards Committee Hearing Panel of County Durham Council was scheduled to convene on Tuesday 13 January 2026. The primary item on the agenda was to consider a report from the Deputy Monitoring Officer concerning four case files: FS-Case-505549532, FS-Case-511445732, FS-Case-539664142, and FS-Case-546254817. The meeting was also scheduled to address the election of a Chair and the declaration of interests.

Standards Hearing Panel Cases

The meeting's agenda indicated that the panel was to consider a report from the Deputy Monitoring Officer relating to four specific case files: FS-Case-505549532, FS-Case-511445732, FS-Case-539664142, and FS-Case-546254817. The report pack provided details on the County Council of Durham's Code of Conduct for Members, which outlines expected conduct for elected and co-opted members when acting in their official capacity. This code, effective from 24 March 2021, is reviewed annually and applies when members conduct council business or act as representatives of the council.

The Code of Conduct is divided into two parts: General Conduct and Registration of Interests. Part 1 details principles such as selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership. It also outlines specific expectations for members, including championing residents' needs, dealing with enquiries fairly, exercising independent judgment, and treating others with respect. The code also addresses bullying and harassment, and the importance of not bringing the role of a Member or the local authority into disrepute.

Part 2 of the Code of Conduct focuses on the registration of interests. Members are required to register disclosable pecuniary interests, membership of certain bodies, and other relevant interests. The code details procedures for declaring and managing these interests at meetings, including when a member must withdraw from discussions or voting. It also covers sensitive interests, where disclosure of details could lead to violence or intimidation, and the process for registering gifts and hospitality received by members.

The agenda also included a procedural item to consider resolving that the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the discussion of the cases, on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the Local Government Act 1972.

The report pack also contained the Protocol on Member Officer Relations, which provides guidance on the expected behaviour and interactions between elected members and council officers. This protocol clarifies the distinct roles of members and officers, outlining mutual expectations for a working partnership, professional advice, and respect. It also addresses limitations on behaviour, the process for handling complaints about members or officers, and the procedures for members' enquiries and the provision of information and advice.