The Standards Committee met to discuss the appointment of an Independent Person and to consider two complaints against elected members, ultimately deciding to take no further action on either complaint. The committee recommended that the council approve the appointment of Mr. Roger Cook as the council's second Independent Person until July 2030. They also instructed the Monitoring Officer to arrange refresher briefings on the Code of Conduct for the members involved in the complaints, and to write to the Chief Whips of each group to remind their members to conduct debates politely and efficiently.

Appointment of Independent Person

The committee considered potential candidates for the role of a second 'Independent Person' as defined in the Localism Act 2011¹. Decision: The committee agreed to recommend that the council approve the appointment of Mr. Roger Cook as the council's second Independent Person until July 2030.

Member Complaint #1

The committee considered a complaint against an elected member alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct for Members and co-opted members. Decision: The committee determined that if the alleged misconduct was proven, it would not constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct, and therefore, no further action would be taken. The committee also instructed the Monitoring Officer to invite the subject member to a refresher briefing session on the Code of Conduct and the Member / Officer Protocol. Additionally, the Monitoring Officer was instructed to write to the Chief Whips of each group to remind their members of the need to conduct debate in council meetings in a polite and respectful way, following the rules of debate as set out in the Constitution. Finally, the Monitoring Officer was instructed to write to the Chief Whips of each group to ask them to ensure complaints that are dealt with through the Whips' Protocol are done so in an efficient manner ensuring any delays are kept to a minimum.

Member Complaint #2

The Committee gave consideration to a complaint against an elected Member alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct for Members and co-opted members. Decision: The committee determined that if the alleged misconduct was proven, it would not constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct, and therefore, no further action would be taken. The committee also instructed the Monitoring Officer to invite the subject member to a refresher briefing session on the Code of Conduct and the Member / Officer Protocol. Additionally, the Monitoring Officer was instructed to write to the Chief Whips of each group to remind their members of the need to conduct debate in council meetings in a polite and respectful way, following the rules of debate as set out in the Constitution. Finally, the Monitoring Officer was instructed to write to the Chief Whips of each group to ask them to ensure complaints that are dealt with through the Whips' Protocol are done so in an efficient manner ensuring any delays are kept to a minimum.