Agenda and draft minutes

Standards Committee - Monday, 13th October, 2025 6.30 pm

Venue: Head of Democratic Services' Office - Civic Centre, High Street, Uxbridge, UB8 1UW. View directions

Contact: Lloyd White  If you are attending the meeting, please enter via main reception and visit the security desk to sign-in and collect a visitors pass. You will then be directed to the Committee Room.  

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Bennett and Nelson for whom Councillors Davies and Mathers were substituting.

2.

Minutes

To approve the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 20 February and 08 May 2025 (attached).

Minutes:

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 20 February and 8 May 2025, be approved.

3.

Declarations of Interest

To note any declarations of interest in any matter before the Committee

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

4.

Confirmation that all items marked Part I will be considered in public and those marked Part II, in private

Minutes:

It was confirmed that the items below would be considered in Part II and minuted in Part I.

5.

Appointment of Independent Person(s)

To consider a recommendation to Council for the appointment of additional Independent person(s).

Minutes:

Members considered potential candidates for the role of a second ‘Independent Person’ as set out in the Localism Act 2011

 

RESOLVED: That Council be asked to approve the appointment of Mr. Roger Cook as the Council’s second Independent Person until July 2030.

 

6.

Member Complaint #1

To consider a complaint against an elected Member of the Council in relation to an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Members and co-opted members.

Minutes:

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.

 

RESOLVED: That,

 

a)        prior to the assessment of the complaint, the committee has satisfied itself that the Subject Member is a Member of the Council, and that the Members’ Code of Conduct was in force at the time of the alleged misconduct.

 

b)        if proven, the alleged misconduct would not be a breach of the Code of Conduct and, therefore, no further action to be taken.

 

c)        The Monitoring Officer be instructed to invite the Subject Member to a refresher briefing session on the Code of Conduct and the Member / Officer Protocol.

 

d)        The Monitoring Officer be instructed to write to the Chief Whips of each Group to ask them to remind their Group 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.

 

e)        The Monitoring Officer be 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.

 

7.

Member Complaint #2

To consider a complaint against an elected Member of the Council in relation to an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct for Members and co-opted members.

Minutes:

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.

 

RESOLVED: That,

 

a)        prior to the assessment of the complaint, the committee has satisfied itself that the Subject Member is a Member of the Council, and that the Members’ Code of Conduct was in force at the time of the alleged misconduct.

 

b)        if proven, the alleged misconduct would not be a breach of the Code of Conduct and, therefore, no further action to be taken.

 

c)        The Monitoring Officer be instructed to invite the Subject Member to a refresher briefing session on the Code of Conduct and the Member / Officer Protocol.

 

d)        The Monitoring Officer be instructed to write to the Chief Whips of each Group to ask them to remind their Group 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.

 

e)        The Monitoring Officer be 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.