The Standards Committee of Islington Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 14 September 2026. The meeting's agenda includes discussions on the committee's membership and terms of reference, as well as proposals for general dispensations under the Code of Conduct. A report on the renewal of a dispensation for LondonEnergy Ltd is also listed as to follow.

Membership, Terms of Reference and Dates of Meetings

The committee is set to review its membership, terms of reference, and meeting dates for the 2026-27 municipal year. As required by the Local Government Act 2000¹, councils must establish a Standards Committee to oversee councillor standards and behaviour. This committee advises on the local Code of Conduct, hears cases of potential breaches, and considers complaints referred by the Monitoring Officer. The report outlines the proposed membership for the upcoming year, which includes three Labour councillors and two Green councillors, with Councillor Troy Gallagher serving as Chair. Two independent persons, Yemi Mustapha and Rachael Tiffen, will attend as non-voting observers. The scheduled meeting dates for the year are 14 September 2026 and 11 November 2026, with the possibility of additional meetings if necessary.

General Dispensations under the Code of Conduct

A key item for decision concerns the granting of a general dispensation to all councillors regarding a limited range of interests. This is intended to allow councillors to participate in discussions and voting at meetings where their interests might otherwise prevent them from doing so, particularly when these interests are shared by a significant proportion of other members or the wider community, and where their exclusion could impede the transaction of council business.

The report details several areas where a dispensation is proposed, including:

• Housing matters, where councillors are tenants of the authority, provided the functions do not relate to their individual tenancy or lease.
• School meals, extra-curricular activities, school organisation, school transport, and travelling expenses for those who are parents or guardians of children in full-time education or are parent governors, unless the matter specifically relates to their child's school.
• Allowances, payments, or indemnities given to members.
• The setting of council tax or precepts.
• Setting of Council Housing rent levels and approving the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) for councillors who hold a tenancy or lease with the council.
• Housing benefit in relation to overarching budget reports for councillors receiving housing benefit.
• Adult Social Care in relation to overarching budget reports for councillors receiving adult social care support.
• Council Tax Support for members in receipt of Council Tax Benefit.
• Government grants and related support, including cost of living grants.
• Non-Domestic Rates and Discretionary Rate Relief, except where it affects a member's individual property.

The report highlights that a significant number of elected members belong to trade unions, and without a dispensation related to trade union membership, the number of councillors unable to participate in certain business could impede the transaction of that business. This proposal aligns with common practice in many other local authorities and is intended to ensure that all councillors can contribute to debates on corporate priority issues, supporting the Islington Together 2030 Plan. The proposed dispensation would be effective until 13 September 2030.