The Standards Committee of Durham County Council met on Friday 12 June 2026 to review the committee's annual report, discuss updates on the code of conduct, and consider the national picture regarding standards in local government. The meeting also included discussions on the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Civility and Respect campaign and the committee's work programme for the upcoming year.

Annual Report of the Standards Committee

The committee was scheduled to consider the Annual Report of the Standards Committee for 2025/2026. This report was intended to provide an overview of the committee's work during the past year and outline its future direction for 2026/2027. The report highlighted the committee's commitment to promoting good governance and high standards of conduct among elected members within County Durham. It also detailed the training provided to members and the committee's annual work programme. The report recommended that the committee note its contents and agree for it to be presented to Full Council on 15 July 2026.

Code of Conduct Update

A key item on the agenda was an update on complaints received by Durham County Council under the Code of Conduct for Members since the committee's last meeting on 5 March 2026. The report detailed complaints that were being assessed and those that had been completed, all considered in accordance with the Council's Procedure for Member Code of Conduct Complaints. The report indicated a significant increase in the number of complaints received, particularly against County Councillors, and provided an analysis of the outcomes and associated internal costs. It was noted that the average time taken to deal with complaints had decreased in the most recent period, though it still exceeded the target timescale in some instances. The committee was asked to note this report.

National Picture

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on national developments and cases relating to standards in local government. This included information on the Chair of the government's Ethics and Integrity Commission, Doug Chalmers, and his views on a potential new standards framework that could impose sanctions. The report also highlighted the repeal of the legal requirement for authorities to publish members' home addresses, effective from 29 June 2026, under the new English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. Additionally, a case involving a Leicester City Councillor who was found to have breached the Code of Conduct for humiliating a colleague over allowances was to be discussed.

NALC Civility and Respect Campaign

The meeting was set to include a report providing an overview of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC) Civility and Respect campaign. This initiative aims to address concerns about bullying, harassment, and intimidation within Town and Parish Councils. The report detailed the work of the Civility and Respect Working Group, which focuses on promoting civility and respect, providing support to councils, lobbying for a stronger standards regime, and offering training. The Civility and Respect Pledge, which Town and Parish Councils can sign to demonstrate their commitment to positive behaviour, was also to be discussed, along with the Councillor's Statement of Assurance for individual members.

Committee Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was asked to agree its Work Programme for the municipal year 2026/2027. While not a legislative requirement, a work programme is considered good practice to demonstrate the committee's efforts in promoting and maintaining high ethical standards. The programme included standing agenda items such as reviewing the national standards picture, updates on complaints, and the Local Government Association's (LGA) Debate Not Hate Campaign. It was noted that a review of the Procedure for Member Code of Conduct Complaints was scheduled for September 2026, and a report on guidance for interests had been moved to the same meeting.

The meeting also included standard procedural items such as apologies for absence, substitute members, and declarations of interest, as well as the confirmation of the minutes from the previous meeting held on 5 March 2026.