The Members' Code of Conduct Committee of Bexley Council met on Wednesday 23 September 2026. The meeting's agenda included updates on complaints received under the Members' Code of Conduct and the recruitment of Independent Persons.

Updates on Complaints under the Members' Code of Conduct

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on complaints lodged under the Members' Code of Conduct since the previous meeting on 31 March 2026. The report indicated that between 31 March 2026 and 8 September 2026, four new complaints had been received. These complaints covered various issues, with outcomes ranging from an apology and recommended training to one complaint not being upheld. One matter did not progress as the subject member was no longer a Councillor. No full investigations were required for these four complaints, and there was no need to consult the Independent Persons.

The report also detailed the council's policy on gifts and hospitality, which requires councillors to register any gift or hospitality with an estimated value of at least £100 within 28 days of receipt, or any significant offer that was refused. During the reporting period, two notifications were received regarding gifts and hospitality exceeding £100: one was refused, and the other related to attendance at the London Real Estate Forum.

Additionally, the committee was to be updated on the government's consultation regarding Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England. The government had published its response, confirming an intention to legislate for a mandatory code of conduct, formal standards committees, suspension powers, and a national appeals mechanism. However, no legislation had been enacted, and no implementation timetable had been published, meaning the current standards regime under the Localism Act 2011 remained in force.

The appendix to the report provided a list of member complaints received between 31 March 2026 and 8 September 2026. These included a complaint regarding conduct at a Planning Committee and Full Council meeting, alleging breaches of pre-election rules and the code of conduct, which was assessed as not upheld. Another complaint related to social media posts and conduct at a full council meeting was not continued as the Councillor ceased to be a Member. A complaint alleging lack of respect and bullying at a planning meeting resulted in a conclusion of a breach of the code for failing to treat others with respect, with a recommendation for apologies and training, which had been completed. Finally, a complaint about rudeness in an email exchange concluded with a potential breach of the code, leading to an informal resolution through an apology.

Recruitment of Independent Persons

The committee was asked to agree to the recruitment of individuals to serve as Independent Persons. The report noted that the terms of office for the two current Independent Persons, Carol Reid and Rob Lomas, were due to end at the Annual Meeting of the Council on 19 May 2027. The committee was invited to recommend that the Council recruit two Independent Persons from 20 May 2027 for a term of four years. Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011 requires the council to appoint at least one Independent Person. The report also outlined the legal restrictions for Independent Persons, preventing them from being current councillors or employees of Bexley Council, or relatives or close friends of such individuals, and they should not have held such positions within the last five years. An appropriate interview process would be followed in accordance with the Council's Constitution.