The Standards Committee of Durham County Council met on Friday 11 September 2026 to discuss national trends in local government standards, updates on the Code of Conduct, and issues surrounding freedom of expression and the declaration of interests. The meeting's agenda focused on ensuring high ethical standards among councillors and addressing the challenges they face.

National Picture

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the national landscape of standards issues affecting local government. This included information on a case in Warwickshire where a council leader was cleared of a Code of Conduct complaint concerning the flying of a Progress Pride Flag. The report also highlighted calls from Solace, an organisation representing senior local government managers, for a strengthened standards regime, including effective sanctions and the promotion of civility in public life. Additionally, the Public Services Ombudsman for Wales reported an increase in both public service complaints and those relating to the Code of Conduct.

Code of Conduct Update

A report was scheduled to provide an update on complaints received by Durham County Council under the Code of Conduct for Members. This update detailed the number of complaints received between 2 June 2026 and 1 September 2026, outlining their status, including those rejected, withdrawn, or progressing to assessment. The report also provided figures on the time taken to deal with complaints and the associated internal costs. The committee was to be informed of the progress of ongoing complaints and the outcomes of those considered by the Standards Assessment Board.

Local Government Association Debate Not Hate Campaign and Zero Tolerance Approach to Abuse Policy

The committee was set to discuss developments regarding the Local Government Association's (LGA) Debate Not Hate campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the role of councillors and improve support for those facing abuse and intimidation. The meeting was also to consider proposed changes to the Council's Zero Tolerance Approach to Abuse Policy, updated following an LGA report. This included information on Operation Ford, a policing initiative to strengthen protective security for elected officials, and the findings of the LGA's fourth annual survey of councillors on abuse and intimidation. The survey indicated that abuse and intimidation remain widespread and appear to be worsening, with significant impacts on councillors' lives and democratic participation. The report also detailed the Council's existing zero-tolerance policy and the support mechanisms available to councillors.

Guidance on Interests

This agenda item was scheduled to provide information on the registration and declaration of interests, as well as the concept of pre-determination. Following discussions at a previous meeting, the report was intended to offer an overview of the legislation governing these areas. It was proposed that guidance on pre-determination be circulated to all Members, and that a flowchart on the declaration of interests be included in the Member Handbook, with a reminder about the e-learning course on interests. The report detailed the requirements for Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs) and Other Relevant Interests (ORIs), as well as provisions for sensitive interests. The concept of predetermination was also to be explored, distinguishing it from having a predisposition on a matter.

Freedom of Expression

The committee was scheduled to receive a summary of relevant case law concerning the application of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects the right to freedom of expression. This was in response to a request to assist Members in considering complaints that may engage these rights. The report was to outline key legal cases, such as Livingstone v Adjudication Panel for England, which draws a distinction between a councillor's freedom of expression in an official capacity versus a personal capacity. It was also to cover the concept of enhanced protection for political representatives, as discussed in Heesom v Public Services Ombudsman for Wales, and cases relating to inaccurate statements, value judgments, and hate speech. The report was to suggest a review of Member training to ensure freedom of expression is appropriately covered.