The Standards and Personnel Appeals Committee will be updated on ethical governance matters including complaints made about the conduct of Councillors between April and September 2024. The Committee will also consider its response to a consultation by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on remote attendance at council meetings.

Quarterly Ethical Governance Update

The Committee will receive a report on ethical governance matters in the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, from April to September 2024. The report pack includes an update on the number of complaints about the conduct of councillors that were received by the Monitoring Officer. There will also be an update on declarations of gifts and hospitality to councillors.

Consultation on Remote Attendance

The Committee has been asked to consider its response to an open consultation by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on proposals to allow councillors to attend meetings remotely. The consultation asks for views on arrangements for remote attendance, including whether there should be limits on the number of meetings that can be held remotely and the proportion of councillors that should be required to attend in person. The consultation also asks for views on whether councillors should be permitted to vote by proxy.