The Standards Advisory Committee met to discuss a range of issues, including the continuous improvement plan, member attendance, and the code of conduct. The committee noted the activities of the Standards Advisory Committee for the municipal year May 2024 – May 2025 as set out in the Annual Report of the Standards Advisory Committee.

Continuous Improvement Plan

The committee discussed the council's Continuous Improvement Plan (CIP), which addresses issues identified in the Best Value Inspection and subsequent statutory support package from the government. The CIP has a number of programmes under four themes:

• A council that delivers change for Tower Hamlets
• A council that is impactful in its engagement with partners and residents
• A council that is well run with effective governance
• Programmes required by Ministerial Directions

The Transformation and Assurance Board (TAB) oversees this work.

One programme under Theme 4 is on Political Mentoring. The ministerial directions state:

The Council Must 'Prepare and agree with the Board a fully costed programme of political mentoring for members with resources allocated accordingly.'

The council intends to use a number of existing and planned projects to cover this requirement with the intention that the project would deliver:

1. A clear framework and expectations for member behaviour.
2. Mandatory training to support behavioural change.
3. Review and development of the Council's systems and processes to manage member behaviour.
4. Bespoke support and external challenge.
5. Enhanced mentoring programme.

Phase 1, the 'readiness phase', is underway, supported by the Centre for Governance and Scrutiny (CfGS). Phase 2 is expected to begin in October 2025, and will focus on participatory workshops.

Member Attendance Update

The committee reviewed member and co-optee attendance at formal council and committee meetings. A summary of member attendance is set out in Appendix 1 of the Member Attendance Update 2024-25 for the period May 2024 to May 2025, and a summary of co-optee attendance is in Appendix 2.

The committee noted that all Standards Advisory Committee co-opted members attended at least half of the committee meetings in person, as required by the constitution.

Report on Members' Code of Conduct Matters

The committee received a report on members' code of conduct matters. Since the last report on 3 April 2025, there have been 11 new complaints of alleged breach of the code. Nine of these complaints were made before 30 April 2025, and two since 1 May 2025.

At the time of the previous report, six complaints remained open, all of which were made during the year 2024/25. Of these, all have now been closed except for one, which cannot be investigated until a criminal trial has taken place.

Report on Dispensations under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011

The committee received a bi-annual report on dispensations granted by the Monitoring Officer under section 33 of the Localism Act 2011 in respect of disclosable pecuniary interests¹ (DPIs). There have been no specific dispensations granted at meetings since the last report in June 2024. There is a continuing general dispensation to all members for their current four-year term of office to be present, speak and vote where they would otherwise have a DPI in the following matters:

• Housing: where the Councillor (or spouse or partner) holds a tenancy or lease with the council as long as the matter does not relate to the particular tenancy or lease of the Councillor (their spouse or partner)
• Council Tax: setting the council tax or a precept
• Determining an allowance, travelling expense, payment or indemnity for Councillors
• Council Officer pay where this impacts on Member Allowances

There have been no new general dispensations granted at meetings since the last report in January 2025.

Register of Interests and Gifts and Hospitality Quarterly Update

The committee received a regular update report on the registration of interests, gifts and hospitality. For the period 1 April to 30 June, two declarations have been received:

• Councillor Nathalie Bienfait declared two free tickets to LIDO festival, provided by AEG Europe, estimated value £246
• Councillor Abdi Mohamed declared two free tickets to LIDO festival, provided by AEG Europe, estimated value £246

Standards Advisory Committee Annual Report to Council

The committee considered the draft Annual Report of the Standards Advisory Committee to Council, which outlines the work and activities of the committee over the past year and highlights any particular issues which the council should consider.

Standards Advisory Committee - Terms of Reference

The committee noted its terms of reference, membership, dates/times of meetings and current procedure rules. The committee agreed to establish the following sub-committees for the municipal year 2025/26:

• Investigation and Disciplinary Sub-Committee
• Hearings Sub-Committee

Work Plan

The committee considered its work plan for the new year.