The Standards and Governance Committee met to discuss ethical framework developments, standards complaints, and a community governance review, among other items. The committee approved recommendations to dissolve Kirby Grindalythe and Duggleby Parish Council and replace it with two parish meetings, and to include properties in Sheepwalk Lane into Luttons Parish. The committee also reviewed and approved the circulation of the updated Standards Bulletin.

Kirby Grindalythe and Duggleby Community Governance Review

The committee approved recommendations to dissolve Kirby Grindalythe and Duggleby Parish Council and replace it with two parish meetings, named Kirby Grindalythe Parish meeting and Duggleby Parish meeting. The committee also approved the inclusion of the six properties in Sheepwalk Lane into Luttons Parish.

The review, which commenced on 13 November 2024, aimed to determine the most appropriate future governance for the area. Jennifer Norton, Assistant Director, Legal and Democratic Services, North Yorkshire Council, presented the report, which detailed the three stages of consultation undertaken as part of the review.

The first stage of consultation saw 57% of respondents agreeing that it would be more practical to dissolve the parish council and have a community meeting-based model instead. The second consultation stage focused on seeking views on a specific proposal to dissolve the parish council and replace it with a 'Parish Meeting' form of governance in two newly created parish areas: Duggleby and Northstead Parish, and Kirby Grindalythe Parish. Following the second consultation, there was strong agreement to forming two separate parish meetings, however the consensus was that they should be named Kirby Grindalythe Parish and Duggleby Parish.

The third stage focused on seeking the views of residents of Luttons on the specific proposal to include the properties on Sheepwalk Lane within the Luttons Parish boundary, with 87% in agreement.

The working group, consisting of Councillor Nigel Knapton, Councillor Melanie Ann Davis and Councillor Clive Pearson, with input from Councillor Caroline Goodrick and Councillor Janet Sanderson, as well as the Assistant Director Legal Operations & Deputy Monitoring Officer and the Principal Democratic Services Officer, reviewed the consultation feedback at each stage.

The report noted the consequences of dissolving a parish council, including that the chair of the parish meeting and the proper officer of the Principal Council (North Yorkshire Council) would become the body corporate of the parish meeting and are known as the Parish Trustees . It also noted that arrangements would need to be made to change the bank account name and the signing authority on the account, and that the financial balances and liabilities of the abolished parish council should be divided proportionally based on the population of the areas transferred to each newly created parish.

Standards Bulletin

The committee approved the circulation of the updated Standards Bulletin, which keeps members and relevant officers informed of key developments in the standards regime. The Standards Bulletin helps to maintain the council's statutory duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct.

The bulletin included standing guidance for members on topics such as:

• Members' expenses
• Interests' regime
• Sensitive Interests
• Bias, Predetermination, Predisposition
• Members' Gifts and Hospitality
• Social media and the Members' Code of Conduct

The bulletin also provided updates on the government consultation on strengthening the standards regime, the establishment of an Ethics and Integrity Commission, the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) Annual Report 2024-2025, the CSPL conference –'The Nolan Principles at 30', the Local Government Association (LGA) survey Debate not Hate, action by Cheshire East Council to combat abuse of councillors, and the North Yorkshire Council Member Liaison Group on Councillor Safety.

Complaints Update

The committee noted the current position on standards complaints received. A report from Barry Khan, Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer, noted that during the period 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, the council received 174 complaints that members may have breached the relevant authority's code of conduct for Members. During the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, 133 complaints were received. In the current municipal year, from 1 April 2025 to 29 August 2025, 39 complaints have been received.

The report also provided a breakdown of the complaint statistics, including pre-assessments and assessments for the current year, and investigations/determinations since Vesting Day¹.

Local Ethical Framework Developments

The committee noted the contents of a report updating them on developments in the national ethical framework under the Localism Act 2011. The report provided an update on the government consultation on strengthening the standards regime, the establishment of an Ethics and Integrity Commission, the CSPL Annual Report 2024-2025, the CSPL conference –'The Nolan Principles at 30', the LGA survey Debate not Hate, and action by Cheshire East Council to combat abuse of councillors.

The report also detailed the work of the North Yorkshire Council Member Liaison Group on Councillor Safety, which was established in May 2024 and has met six times to date. The group has undertaken a number of practical steps to promote Member safety, including consideration of the Local Government Association's 'Debate Not Hate' campaign, an all-councillor survey on member safety, and a system for the reporting, collation and analysis of incidences where councillors have felt or been threatened or intimidated during the course of their duties.

Temporary Appointments to Parish Councils

The committee noted a report providing details of a temporary appointment to North Cowton Parish Council made by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer under his delegated powers. Councillor Angus Thompson, divisional representative for North Richmondshire, was appointed to allow the Parish Council to maintain quoracy in order to conduct business and co-opt additional members.

Standards Training Plan

The committee considered the Standards Training Plan for Members for 2025/2026 and determined that no amendments were required. The training plan is split into separate sections for the Standards and Governance Committee, Independent Persons for Standards, Members of North Yorkshire Council, and Parish and Town Councils, with identified training needs set out, an indicative timescale for completion and bulleted entries of any such training undertaken in the time period.

Work Programme

The committee considered and reviewed its Work Programme, deferring the item 'Protocol re Councillors' Use of Resources' to the next meeting. The committee also updated items for the committee's meetings on 17 September 2025 and 13 March 2026, including items regarding the 'Community Governance Review' and a consequential report regarding 'Dispensation requests re Community Governance Review' for the committee's meeting on 13 March 2025.