The Standards Advisory Committee met on 10 January 2024 and agreed its work programme for the upcoming year. The committee also deferred a decision on a conduct complaint related to the Budget Working Commission to a future meeting.

Proposed Work Programme 2023-2024

The committee agreed to the proposed work programme for the 2023/2024 municipal year. This followed a discussion where members highlighted issues with the member development programme, including what constitutes mandatory training and the level of engagement from councillors. Councillor Anamul Islam commented that Councillors should be encouraged to undertake training. The Interim Director of Legal and Governance, Satish Mistry, explained that a previous officer working on this had left the authority, but capacity had now been created to progress the work. Members also stressed the need for clarity on who was required to attend training and suggested re-evaluating the programme. The Chair, Reza Choudhury, Independent Member, noted that the matter of training attendance had been discussed previously and felt it should be brought to the committee for the interim.

Conduct Complaint - Budget Working Commission

Consideration of a report detailing the outcome of an investigation into complaints arising from the Budget Working Commission meeting of 20 December 2022 was deferred. The Chair, Reza Choudhury, expressed concern about the late access to the investigation report, stating, he was concerned that they may not have had time to read the document and consider it thoroughly. Members concurred, and it was suggested that a special meeting be arranged before the end of January 2024 to allow for proper consideration. The committee also agreed that the Investigator should present their report at the reconvened meeting and that two complainants who had attended the current meeting should be allowed to address the committee.

Ethical Framework Update

The committee received a report on declarations of interests made by the Mayor and councillors, as well as declarations of gifts and hospitality, for the period 6 November 2023 to 2 January 2024. It was noted that no declarations of interests were made at meetings during this period. The committee resolved to note this information and the list of declared gifts and hospitality.

Review of the LGA's Model Member Code of Conduct

Following a review of the Local Government Association's (LGA) Model Member Code of Conduct, it was agreed at a Council Meeting in October 2023 that a new Code of Conduct based on the LGA's model should be adopted. The process for dealing with complaints was considered at the November 2023 Standards Advisory Committee meeting. However, the Interim Director of Legal and Governance advised that due to recent by-elections, all three political groups now needed to be consulted. The complaints process will be circulated to the groups for commentary within three weeks, after which the responses will be considered and finalised.

Recruitment of an Independent Member

The committee noted that no further progress had been made on the recruitment of an independent member. The Chair and other members expressed disappointment and requested an update at the next meeting, including tangible evidence of the recruitment direction and the draft advert and job description.

Other Business

The committee also agreed to defer consideration of an update on complaints, the schedule of complaints, and a complaint submitted against an elected member to the special meeting to be arranged. The next scheduled meeting of the Standards Advisory Committee is on 10 April 2024.