The Standards Committee of Haringey Council was scheduled to consider its annual report on code of conduct complaints that did not warrant further action, and to review the proposed Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2026-2027 financial year. The committee was also set to discuss its work programme for the coming months.

No Further Action Code of Conduct Complaints - Monitoring Officer Annual Report

The committee was scheduled to review the Monitoring Officer's annual report detailing code of conduct complaints against councillors that were determined not to require further action. This report, authored by Fiona Alderman, Director of Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer, and led by Haydee Nunes de Souza, Head of Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer, outlines the criteria used by the Monitoring Officer to decide whether a complaint merits further investigation. These criteria include allegations that do not demonstrate a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct, cases with insufficient evidence, anonymous allegations lacking documentary evidence, or complaints considered frivolous, vexatious, malicious, or politically motivated. The report indicated that between 1 May 2024 and 1 October 2025, six complaints were determined not to merit further action, with the primary reason being that the conduct complained about did not demonstrate a breach of the code. The Independent Person was consulted on these decisions and agreed with the Monitoring Officer's conclusions.

Members Allowances Scheme for 2026-2027

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to the proposed Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2026-2027 municipal year. The report, prepared by Ayshe Simsek, Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager, highlighted the council's legal duty to adopt an annual scheme. The committee was asked to consider the current scheme and the key findings from the Remuneration of Councillors in London 2023 report by the Independent Panel. This report, which reviewed councillor remuneration across London, recommended a basic allowance of £15,960, significantly higher than the current £11,994 basic allowance for Haringey councillors. The Independent Panel's report argued that current allowances lag behind those in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and do not adequately reflect the increasing demands and complexity of the councillor role, particularly in London. The report also discussed recommendations for Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs), suggesting bands and percentages of a council leader's remuneration. The potential cost of increasing the basic allowance by 2% was estimated at an additional £13,680 for the council's budget. The committee was also to consider the provision for dependents' carers' allowances and travel and subsistence claims.

Committee Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to review its work programme, identifying topics that would be brought before the Standards Committee. This included noting the potential implications of the central government's response to the consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England. The committee was also to consider undertaking a review of the Member-Officer Protocol to ensure its continued relevance and effectiveness. Future meetings were noted, with the next scheduled for 9 March 2026, where changes to the Council Constitution and Special Responsibility Allowances for 2026/27 were anticipated.