Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer which provided an update on complaints received by Durham County Council under the Code of Conduct for Members since the last meeting on 6 September 2024.

The report also presented options in relation to how costs associated with Code of Conduct Complaints are presented to the Committee (for copy of report, see file of minutes).

In response to a question from Councillor Peeke regarding costs, the Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that the Council had no powers to compel Town and Parish Councils to report on a particular item. She could provide the information to Town and Parish Councils and invite them to report the information.

Councillor Atkinson asked if there was a pattern to the complaints.

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer responded that she did not come into contact with all Parish Councils it was a relatively small number of Parish Councils that she dealt with. She advised Members that she does liaise with Parish Councils and offer some training to address issues, however this had mixed success as there was no power to compel Councillors to attend training.

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring officer continued in relation to the consultation around a tougher standards regime and indicated that the consultation was still to be launched but the Local Government Association had been holding some workshops around the sanction’s regime. She had participated in a workshop for Monitoring Officers, and they called upon the consultation to deal with the recovery of costs and a requirement that Councillors must complete any sanctions and recommended training in response to a breach to the Code of Conduct complaint and consistent approach to reporting.

Members were advised that when the consultation was received, this would be brought to the Standards Committee for Members input.

Councillor Atkinson stated that a better understanding of Standing Orders by the Chair’s needed to be part of the process.

Councillor Nicholson moved and Councillor Mavin seconded that the Committee write to the Secretary of State stating that Councils should have the discretionary power to recover costs for dealing with complaints from Town and Parish Councils if they chose to do so.

Members agreed to also include in the letter, a request that the consultation covers the requirement for Members to comply with recommendations of the Monitoring Officer and/or a Standards Hearing Panel and the introduction of stronger sanctions including suspension where appropriate.

The Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer indicated that she would draft a letter to the Secretary of State in consultation with the Chair of the Standards Committee.

Resolved: (i) That the contents and suggested formatting of the report be noted.

(ii) That the proposed arrangements for reporting on costs incurred in relation to Code of Conduct complaints be agreed.

(iii) That the Director of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer draft a letter to the Secretary of State in consultation with the Chair of the Standards Committee.