This past week, the North East Lincolnshire Council held two meetings, covering important topics related to standards within the council and overall health and wellbeing in the community. Below, you will find a summary of each meeting and the key decisions made.

Health and Wellbeing Board

Meeting Date: Monday 24 June 2024

Unfortunately, we were unable to obtain a transcript or video for this meeting. Therefore, we can only confirm that the meeting took place.

Standards Committee

Meeting Date: Thursday 27 June 2024

Standards Committee Annual Report

The Standards Committee reviewed their Annual Report for 2023-2024. This report is pivotal in maintaining the code of conduct for councillors. Notably, the report highlighted that there were five complaints against councillors over the past year, a decrease from seven the previous year. Out of these five complaints, two were investigated, and one was upheld. This performance compares favourably with other similar councils. The majority of complaints were related to councillors' conduct on social media, a trend that is also seen on a national level.

Complaints Schedule 2023 - 2024

The committee also reviewed the complaints schedule for 2023-2024, which lists all complaints made against councillors in the past year. There was a slight increase in the number of complaints compared to the previous year. However, most of these did not require formal investigation. The committee discussed potential reasons for this increase, including a possible rise in public awareness of the complaints process.

I think the key thing for me, looking at this, is that hopefully, we're getting our message out there in a better format and therefore people know what to do.

The committee decided to ask officers to review the council website to determine if improvements could be made to the information available on the complaints process, making it easier for residents to understand.

Understanding the Standards Committee

The Standards Committee plays a crucial role in ensuring that councillors adhere to ethical guidelines and maintain public trust. They oversee the implementation of the Councillors' Code of Conduct, investigate complaints, and recommend sanctions when necessary. The annual report and complaints schedule are essential tools for transparency and accountability.

This week's meetings highlight the council's ongoing efforts to maintain high standards of conduct and improve community health and wellbeing. Stay tuned for more updates and insights into how your local government works to serve you better.