The Standards Committee of Leicester City Council is scheduled to consider proposed reforms to the ethical standards regime for local government. The committee will also receive updates on complaints made against councillors and recommendations from a Standards Hearing Panel.

Proposed Reforms to the Ethical Standards Regime for Local Government

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on recent Government consultations and proposed reforms to the ethical standards framework for local government in England. The report will outline the potential implications of these reforms for Leicester City Council. The current ethical standards framework is primarily based on the Localism Act 2011, which shifted responsibility for codes of conduct and complaint investigations to local authorities. However, concerns have been raised nationally about the limited range of sanctions available to local authorities, the inconsistency in how standards complaints are handled across different councils, and the lack of an external right of appeal.

The Government's response to its consultation, published in November 2025, indicates an intention to pursue legislative reform. These proposed changes would represent a partial re centralisation of the standards framework with the aim of introducing greater consistency, clearer minimum expectations of behaviour, and a more credible range of sanctions. The report notes that if these reforms are implemented, Leicester City Council would need to review and amend its existing constitutional arrangements, codes of conduct, and procedures for dealing with misconduct.

The report includes a comparison of the current position with the proposed reforms:

The report clarifies that at this stage, these reforms are proposals only, and no immediate changes to the Council's Constitution, Code of Conduct, or standards arrangements are required. The Monitoring Officer will continue to monitor developments and provide further reports as legislative proposals progress.

Standards Hearing Panel Recommendations - Complaint 11/2025

The committee is scheduled to consider recommendations from a Hearing Panel following a Standards Hearing Sub-Committee meeting held on 21st April 2026. The report details the findings and outcomes of this hearing. The committee is recommended to consider these findings and endorse the Panel's recommendations, with or without modification.

Complaints Against Councillors - May 2026

A report is scheduled to be presented, providing feedback on complaints against councillors that have been reviewed or determined since the last meeting. The report will also update the committee on the progress of outstanding complaints against councillors. The committee is recommended to receive and note this report.

The report includes details on Complaint 11/2025, which concerns Disrespectful comments of a personal nature directed at two Labour Members during speeches at Full Council. The informal resolution was rejected by Councillor 1, and the case is proceeding to the Standards Advisory Board. The outcome is scheduled for a final Standards Committee hearing on 21st April 2026. The report notes that this case explores the scope of Article 10 ECHR 'Freedom of Expression' especially the enhanced protection offered to political expression. ¹

Other complaints listed include:

• Complaint 1/2026 regarding disrespectful comments during a Ward surgery, where no breach was found as it was deemed reasonable for Councillor 4 to retort after being questioned in front of constituents.
• Complaint 2/2026 concerning offensive comments in an answer to a Councillor's question at Full Council, which is pending.
• Complaint 3/2026 alleging defamatory and misleading comments made by Councillor 8 during a speech at Full Council, which is also pending.