The Democracy and Standards Committee of North Northamptonshire Council met on Monday 19 October 2026, resolving to recommend amendments to the Scrutiny Procedure Rules to the full council and approving the reappointment of independent persons to the Audit and Governance Committee. The committee also noted updates on standards matters nationally and locally, and reviewed the council's action plan and work programme.

Review of Scrutiny Procedure Rules & Arrangements

The committee recommended to the full council that amendments to the Scrutiny Procedure Rules be approved. These proposed changes aim to strengthen the scrutiny function by replacing the Scrutiny Management Board with an informal Scrutiny Leadership Forum for strategic development and establishing a dedicated Call-In Committee for formal decision-making on call-ins. The amendments also seek to clarify and improve the operation of Scrutiny Task & Finish Panels. Additionally, the committee noted the Scrutiny Task & Finish Panel General Guidance document. Councillor Simon Fairhall raised a point about the perception of decisions being nodded through too quickly, suggesting that clarity on the due process followed would be beneficial for future occasions. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz queried whether the Scrutiny Leadership Forum meetings could be opened up to all members of the council from the outset, and also raised the potential for recording these meetings for transparency. Chris Stephenson, Scrutiny Manager, confirmed that the guidance document addresses the checklist suggestion and that recording meetings is possible. He also noted that members of the public can currently submit items for scrutiny, and the Leadership Forum intends to discuss how to enhance public participation. Councillor Denis McLean highlighted that the Scrutiny Leadership Forum would allow for greater cross-committee and cross-group collaboration due to no longer being bound by political balance rules. Councillor Jonathan Carvetta, Chair of the committee, noted that the constitutional working group, which included members of corporate scrutiny, had contributed to refining the proposals. Councillor Chris Munday, speaking as a scrutiny chair, supported the proposals, stating they would strengthen scrutiny by helping us carry out our responsibilities more effectively, ultimately delivering better outcomes for our residents.¹

Appointment of Independent Persons (Audit and Governance Committee)

The committee resolved to recommend to the full council the reappointment of Mr Michael Whitworth as a co-opted Independent Member of the Audit & Governance Committee for a term of four years, ending on 30 November 2030. Furthermore, the committee recommended the appointment of Paul Grady and Amanda Blakey as co-opted Independent Members to the same committee for a similar four-year term. Kamila Coulson-Patel, Corporate Director of Law and Governance, explained that the recruitment process had been robust, with seven applicants shortlisted for interview. Councillor Mark Pengelly supported the appointments, noting the value of independent members in sharing knowledge with councillors, particularly new ones, and assisting with understanding complex areas like audit. Councillor Gavin Beales expressed concern about the process, suggesting that Mr Whitworth's reappointment should have been confirmed before the recruitment for the other two positions began. Kamila Coulson-Patel clarified that the council had struggled to recruit independent persons previously, and Mr Whitworth's term was extended to ensure continuity while a new recruitment drive was undertaken. She also noted that the previous recruitment efforts had been unsuccessful, and they were pleasantly surprised by the level of interest and the calibre of candidates this time. Councillor Denis McLean inquired about the independence of these appointees and the assessment, induction, and training provided. Kamila Coulson-Patel confirmed they are independent, not politically aligned, and undergo a rigorous selection process. Training includes an overview of the committee's terms of reference, dedicated sessions with the chief internal auditor, and attendance at member development sessions.

Update on the National and Local Picture - Standards Matters

The committee noted the report providing an update on national and local standards matters. Kamila Coulson-Patel, Monitoring Officer, highlighted a case in Truro City Council where a councillor breached the Code of Conduct for failing to treat individuals with respect and bringing the office into disrepute through social media comments. She emphasised that the Code of Conduct applies equally to online platforms and that freedom of expression does not negate the obligation to uphold standards. The report also touched upon the low public trust in politicians, with local councillors at 30% and MPs at 15%, and the crucial role local government plays in rebuilding this trust. Councillor Emily Fedorowycz raised concerns about the number of complaints resulting in no further action, questioning if this meant no justice. Kamila Coulson-Patel explained that this often occurs due to insufficient evidence of a breach or where corrective action has been taken rapidly. Councillor Paul Brooke and Councillor Simon Fairhall discussed the public's understanding of a councillor's role and the importance of communicating this effectively. Kamila Coulson-Patel acknowledged the feedback and stated that efforts would be made to provide more context in future reports.

Action Plan 2026-27 - Update and Work Programme for 2026-27

The committee noted the update on the Action Plan for 2026-27 and the Work Programme for 2026-27. Kamila Coulson-Patel informed members that the planning call-in scheduled for October would be removed from the work programme due to legislative changes.