The Standards Sub-Committee of Shropshire Council met on 17 September 2025 to discuss applications for dispensation from Councillors Alex Wagner and Rob Wilson, and a Code of Conduct complaint. The Sub-Committee was also scheduled to elect a chairman for the duration of the meeting. Some of the discussion was expected to be held with the press and public excluded.

Applications for dispensation

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider applications for dispensation from Councillor Alex Wagner, Mayor of Shrewsbury, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, and Shrewsbury Town and Shropshire Councillor for Quarry, and Councillor Rob Wilson, Copthorne, Liberal Democrat, Portfolio Holder for Transport and Economic Growth. Both councillors had requested permission to participate and vote on matters relating to the devolution of powers to Shrewsbury Town Council.

As members of Shrewsbury Town Council, both councillors have an Other Registerable Interest in matters relating to the Town Council when they are discussed at meetings of Shropshire Council.

The report pack included the written requests for dispensation from both Councillors, in which they stated that as Executive Members of Shropshire Council involved in honouring the commitment for the devolution of powers from Shropshire Council to the Town and Parish Councils, it is desirable that their knowledge can be shared when important decisions are taken.

The report stated that the Localism Act 2011 places a requirement on local authorities to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the authority.

Participation in the discussion and voting on a matter by a member with an other registerable interest risks damaging the reputation of the authority and could amount to a failure to comply with the code of conduct.

The Sub-Committee was presented with two options:

• To grant the dispensations to take part in discussions and/or voting on matters relating to the devolution of powers to Shrewsbury Town Council.
• To not grant the dispensations.

The recommendation to the Sub-Committee was that the dispensations should be granted, enabling Councillors Alex Wagner and Rob Wilson to participate in the discussion and voting on matters relating to the devolution of powers to Shrewsbury Town Council at meetings of Shropshire Council (including cabinet and any other formal decision making committees) on the grounds that it is in the interests of persons living in the authority's area , and that the dispensation last until 3 May 2029, or until such time as the relevant Councillor no longer has a disclosable pecuniary interest in the matter, whichever is sooner.

Code of Conduct Complaint

The Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an exempt report relating to a Code of Conduct complaint. The report was exempt in accordance with the provisions of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972¹.