Standards committee

All councils are required to establish a standards committee as part of the ethical framework for public authorities following the Local Government Act 2000. The aim is to promote high standards of ethical conduct among elected councillors, independent and co-opted members. The basis of this standard is the model code of conduct (see below). The framework is overseen by the Standards Board for England.

Committee functions

The standards committee gives the council advice on local codes of conduct, monitors the effectiveness of the codes, advises on training members on the code and promotes and maintains high standards of conduct for members. It also responds to national reviews and consultations on standards related issues and is able to grant dispensations to members allowing them to take part and vote in certain circumstances, when they would not otherwise be entitled to. Finally, the committee conducts formal hearings to hear any complaints that have been referred from the Standards Board.

Meetings are generally held four times a year, and are open to the public. For minutes, agendas and meeting times please see the standards committee meetings page.

The terms of reference for the standards committee can be found in Article 9 of part 2 of the constitution.

The model code of conduct

Every council is required to adopt the model code of conduct that sets out the rules governing the behaviour of its members. This new code under the Local Government Bill 2007 was adopted by the council on 24 May 2007. All elected councillors and voting co-opted and independent members are covered by the code.

The model code can be found in section 1 of Part 5 of the constitution along with supporting codes and protocols.

Monitoring officer

The protocol on the role of the monitoring officer can be found in section 9 of part 5 of the constitution.

Complaints and whistleblowing procedure

Information about whistleblowing procedures within the council can be found in the whistleblowing charter.

Guidance on how to make a complaint to the Standards Board for England can be found on the Standards Board for England complaints information page.

The council's complaints procedure is set out on the how to complain page.

Details of how to complain to the the Local Government Ombudsmen once the council's complaints procedure has been exhausted, are also set out on the the Local Government Ombudsmen's website.