The Standards Committee of King's Lynn and West Norfolk Council met on Monday 8th September 2025, and agreed to grant a general dispensation to 'Twin-Hatter' councillors regarding decisions on Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). This allows councillors who are also members of Norfolk County Council to participate and vote on LGR matters without being subject to sanctions under the Localism Act 2011¹ or the Councillor's Code of Conduct. The committee also agreed the minutes of the previous meeting.

Dispensations for 'Twin-Hatter' Councillors

The Standards Committee voted to grant a general dispensation to borough council members who are also members of Norfolk County Council, often referred to as Twin-Hatters . This dispensation applies to decisions related to Local Government Reorganisation (LGR), including the approval of the final submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).

The Monitoring Officer, Alexa Baker, presented a report to the committee, which outlined the reasons for the recommendation. The key issue is that Twin-Hatters receive allowances from both the borough and county councils. These allowances could be considered a disclosable pecuniary interest² (DPI) under the Localism Act 2011 and the Councillor's Code of Conduct when acting in the alternative council. This means that without a dispensation, Twin-Hatter councillors would be prohibited from participating in discussions and voting on LGR matters.

Councillor Steven Bearshaw, Deputy Mayor, Member Champion - Armed Forces, stated that:

Local Government Reorganisation was being done and wasn't a choice made and therefore Borough Council and County Council would then not exist, and the dispensation provided a safer position.

The dispensation is intended to remove these restrictions and ensure that Twin-Hatter councillors can fully participate in the LGR process. The dispensation will last for a maximum of four years, or until the vesting of a new unitary authority, whichever is sooner.

The report to the committee noted that:

Dispensations in this context only engage issues of interests, and conflicts of those interests. There is no dispensation that can be provided on being biased or predetermined, both of which would make a decision challengeable on public law grounds.

The report also noted that Norfolk County Council have provided a reciprocal general dispensation to their Members, and that it was considered to be appropriate and in the public interest to have consistency for Twin-Hatters on this matter.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee approved the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16th July 2025.