The Standards Committee of Wandsworth Council met on Monday 11 June 2012 to approve a new standards framework for councillors, which will come into effect following the Localism Act 2011. The committee also welcomed two new Independent Persons who will serve under the new arrangements.

New Standards Framework Approved

The committee recommended that the Council approve a new standards framework for its members, which has been developed in response to the Localism Act 2011. This framework includes a new local Code of Conduct for Members, revised terms of reference and composition for the Standards Committee, and updated procedures for handling complaints about alleged breaches of the code.

Key elements of the new framework include:

• Local Code of Conduct: The new code will be based on the seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership. It will also incorporate definitions of disclosable pecuniary interests as set out in the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012. A provision requiring the registration of gifts and hospitality valued at £25 and above will be explicitly included.
• Standards Committee Composition: The committee's composition will be adjusted to include eight members in total, with two non-voting Independent Persons. This change was made after Councillor Rex Osborn argued that restricting minority group representation to one member was insufficient. The committee will now aim for a more balanced representation.
• Complaints Procedure: The procedure for handling complaints about alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct has been updated. It clarifies that initial assessments will involve consultation with at least one Independent Person and an elected member from each political group on the committee. Amendments have also been made to address cases of alleged bullying.
• Register of Interests: The Monitoring Officer will prepare and maintain a new register of Members' Interests, which will include gifts and hospitality, in compliance with the Localism Act 2011 and relevant regulations. While the Act does not formally require members to update their register if their interests change, the Council will include this requirement in its local arrangements.
• Independent Persons: Two new Independent Persons, Angela Attah and Claire Smith, were welcomed to the meeting. They will serve in a statutory role under the new arrangements and will be paid an allowance of £400 per annum each. This represents a saving compared to previous allowances paid to Independent Members.
• Delegations and Amendments: The committee recommended delegating the power to grant dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 to the Monitoring Officer. Amendments will also be made to the Council's Constitution and Standing Orders to reflect the new statutory provisions and the local standards framework. This includes excluding matters relating to code of conduct complaints from the stop notice procedure and requiring members with a disclosable pecuniary interest to declare it and leave the room during the relevant item at meetings.

Farewell to Current Framework

This meeting marked the final one for the Standards Committee under the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000. Chairman Mr. C. Watts, who had served on the committee for ten years, including five as Chairman, thanked elected and Independent Members, as well as the Borough Solicitor and Monitoring Officer, for their support. The Deputy Chairman, Councillor Professor Mrs. Elizabeth Howlett, paid tribute to Mr. Watts' dedicated, conscientious, and balanced approach to his role.