The Member Development and Standards Sub Committee met on Thursday 15 October 2026 to discuss the annual report of the Panel of Independent Persons, the members' learning and development update, and a trial scheme for Microsoft Copilot. The committee considered proposals to amend the terms of office for independent persons and to allocate a budget for standards-related activities.

Annual Report of the Panel of Independent Persons

The committee discussed the annual report of the Panel of Independent Persons, which details their activities from June 2025 to September 2026. Key recommendations included amending the terms of office for independent persons to two four-year terms, rather than three two-year terms, to improve continuity and reduce the resource intensity of recruitment. This change would apply to those appointed from 2026 onwards. The panel also proposed extending the terms of four current independent persons to better manage recruitment and retain knowledge. Additionally, the report requested an allocated budget of approximately £15,000 per annum for standards-related activities, as current costs are being met from underspends in other budgets, which is no longer sustainable.

During the discussion, concerns were raised about the process for reviewing the standards regime and the breakdown of costs associated with training and operating the panel versus the number of cases handled. There was also a question about differentiating between complaints involving councillors and aldermen. It was clarified that the independent panelists were clear about being paid only when working and were happy with the offered amount. The report noted that the panel had considered five complaints during the reporting period, with one deemed inadmissible, one resulting in no further action, and three resolved through informal resolution.

Members' Learning and Development Update

The committee received an update on the 2026/27 Member Learning and Development Programme, which is structured around quarterly themes: Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI); Leadership Skills; Health, Safety, and Wellbeing; and Data and Information. The report detailed sessions delivered in the first two quarters, including those on legal EDI obligations, managing bias, and leadership skills modules covering conflict management, communication, and change management.

The update also highlighted ad-hoc training sessions on Emergency Planning and Major Incident Planning, a Microsoft Copilot introductory session, and proactive personal security briefings for elected members delivered by the City of London Police. Looking ahead to the Health, Safety, and Wellbeing theme for October-December 2026, proposed sessions included preventing harassment training, mindfulness, stress awareness, and in-house training on wellbeing support, health and safety responsibilities, and personal safety. Further external sessions on staying safe online and in person, and building self-belief were also planned. The committee was invited to provide feedback on these proposals and suggest topics for the upcoming Data and Information theme in Quarter 4.

Members' Copilot Trial Scheme Update

A verbal update was provided on the trial scheme for Microsoft Copilot Premium. A cohort of volunteer members, selected to represent varying levels of digital confidence, had been identified. Training sessions were scheduled for October, with attendance at these sessions being a prerequisite for receiving a Copilot license. The discussion revealed that the City Corporation had purchased 2,470 licenses at a cost of £7 per month, amounting to over £200,000 annually. Concerns were raised about the significant cost and the need for a pilot to assess the necessity and effectiveness of these licenses before a wider rollout. It was noted that licenses would be re-purposed if not used after six months. The potential for Copilot to be used for Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and other data access was also discussed, highlighting the need for members to be well-briefed on appropriate usage and ethical considerations. The committee discussed the possibility of constructing an email to the Chairman of the Digital Services Committee to seek further information regarding the licensing and review process.