The Standards Committee of Camden Council met on Thursday 11 June 2026 to review the annual monitoring of Code of Conduct complaints against members, discuss updates on standards matters, and review the record of standards information and guidance issued to councillors. The meeting's agenda also included noting the committee's terms of reference and the minutes from the previous meeting.

Terms of Reference

The committee was scheduled to note its terms of reference, which outline its responsibilities. These include promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct among councillors and other elected representatives, assisting them in observing the Code of Conduct, and advising the Council on its adoption or revision. The committee is also responsible for monitoring the operation of the Code of Conduct, providing advice and training, and agreeing guidance for councillors. Furthermore, it handles the local consideration, investigation, and determination of complaints against members, and prepares annual reports on its work. The committee also has a role in agreeing and recommending various protocols and procedures, such as the Members' Code of Conduct, the procedure for dealing with complaints, and the Member/Officer Protocol.

Annual Monitoring of Code of Conduct Complaints Against Members 2025-26

A report from the Borough Solicitor was scheduled to provide an update on Code of Conduct complaints against Members during the 2025/26 municipal year. The report noted that Camden has traditionally seen a low number of complaints, with seven received during this period, a decrease from eleven in the previous year. The report indicated that one complaint proceeded to investigation, resulting in an informal resolution and a written apology from the subject member. Two other complaints were withdrawn following the councillor's resignation, and another was not pursued by the complainant. The Borough Solicitor and an Independent Person determined that the remaining complaints did not constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct, and no appeals against these decisions were successful at the Local Government Ombudsman. The report also highlighted the continued helpfulness of the Independent Persons in the decision-making process.

Update on Standards Matters - June 2026

This report was intended to bring to the committee's attention recent matters concerning standards. Key points included an update on the publication of home addresses in Registers of Interests. Following wider concerns about councillor safety, legislation was due to come into effect from 29 June 2026, requiring that a councillor's residential address not be published in the public register unless they explicitly request it. Home addresses would still be disclosed and held in a separate internal register. The report also mentioned the launch of the Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC) on 31 October 2025, which replaced the Committee on Standards in Public Life and aims to promote high standards in public life. An updated report from the EIC, Ethics and Integrity Institutions: Mapping UK Standards in Public Life, was noted, with Chapter 6 focusing on local government.

The report also highlighted audit findings from Teignbridge District Council, where external auditors recommended addressing abusive behaviour towards officers and councillors during meetings, and improving access to information. The Borough Solicitor's comment noted that abusive behaviour would breach the Councillor Code of Conduct and that Camden does not traditionally have a culture of poor conduct.

Several standards cases from other councils were also presented for information:

• Wokingham Borough Council: Councillor Stuart Munro was found to have breached the Code of Conduct by participating in determining a planning application after objecting to it in a consultation response. The report noted that objectivity is a key principle of the Code of Conduct, particularly relevant for regulatory functions like planning.
• Tameside Council: Five councillors and one former councillor were found to have breached the Code of Conduct for their involvement in a WhatsApp group that included offensive content. The investigator concluded that the councillors were acting in their official capacity. Sanctions recommended included censure, removal from committees, and mandatory training. The Borough Solicitor's comment emphasised that the Code of Conduct applies when a councillor acts in that capacity, including electronic communications.
• Leicestershire County Council: Councillor Charles Whitford was found to have breached the Code of Conduct by sending bullying and intimidating emails to residents. The Panel determined breaches related to treating members of the public with respect, not bullying or harassing, promoting equalities, and not bringing the role into disrepute. Sanctions included formal censure and a public apology.
• Leicester City Council: Councillor Patrick Kitterick was found to have breached the Code of Conduct by failing to treat others with respect at a Full Council meeting. Sanctions included a written apology and attendance at training. The Borough Solicitor's comment highlighted the obligation for members to behave respectfully while balancing this with the right to express views.
• North Yorkshire Council: Councillor Andrew Lee breached the Code of Conduct regarding the use of council resources, specifically a pool car for personal business and mileage claims. Recommendations were made to the Council regarding the return of council-issued mobile phones and restricting access to pool cars. The Borough Solicitor's comment referenced Camden's Code of Conduct obliging members not to misuse council resources.

Standards Information and Guidance Record

This report was scheduled to set out the record of standards information and guidance issued to Members of the Council. It detailed that following the election on 7 May 2026, all Members received a Register of Interests pack and a presentation on standards matters, including the Councillor Code of Conduct and updated protocols. The report also noted that there was no further guidance scheduled to be issued, other than as a result of other reports before the Committee. The committee was invited to suggest any areas where guidance might be reviewed or reissued. The appendix provided a record of constitutional guidance, including the Members' Code of Conduct, protocols on dealing with misconduct complaints, gifts and hospitality, and the Member/Officer Protocol, along with other guidance issued via email and presentations, such as post-election briefings and reminders about registering interests and related party transactions.