The Standards Committee of Leicester City Council is scheduled to meet on Wednesday 06 May 2026 to consider proposed reforms to the ethical standards regime for local government and to review recommendations from a recent standards hearing panel. The committee will also receive an update on complaints made against councillors.

Proposed Reforms to the Ethical Standards Regime for Local Government

The committee is scheduled to receive a report from the Monitoring Officer regarding recent government consultations and proposed reforms to the ethical standards framework for local government in England. This report will outline the potential implications of these reforms for Leicester City Council. The current ethical standards framework is primarily based on the Localism Act 2011, which shifted responsibility for codes of conduct and investigations to local authorities. However, concerns have been raised nationally about the limited range of sanctions available to councils and inconsistencies in how standards complaints are handled. The government's proposed changes, detailed in a consultation response published in November 2025, aim to introduce greater consistency, clearer minimum expectations of behaviour, and a more credible range of sanctions, including suspension. These reforms represent a partial re-centralisation of the standards framework with the goal of ensuring that robust local debate occurs within a framework that promotes respect, fairness, and public trust. If implemented, these reforms would require Leicester City Council to review its existing constitutional arrangements, codes of conduct, and procedures for dealing with misconduct.

Standards Hearing Panel Recommendations - Complaint 11/2025

The committee is scheduled to consider recommendations from a Standards Hearing Panel following a meeting held on 21 April 2026. The report details the findings and outcomes of this hearing, and the committee is recommended to endorse these recommendations, with or without modification. The agenda notes that the committee reserves the right to move into private session if further information is required that falls under specific paragraphs of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, relating to information about individuals and deliberations of standards committees.

Complaints Against Councillors - May 2026

A report is scheduled to be presented, providing feedback on complaints against councillors that have been reviewed or determined since the last meeting. The report will also update the committee on the progress of outstanding complaints. The committee is recommended to receive and note this report. Similar to the previous item, the committee may move into private session to discuss information that is exempt under the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985. The report includes details of specific complaints, such as complaint 11/2025 concerning disrespectful comments made at a Full Council meeting, which is noted to explore the scope of Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights concerning freedom of expression, particularly political expression. Other complaints listed include allegations of offensive comments and defamatory remarks made during council speeches.

The meeting will be chaired by Councillor Dr Susan Barton, with Councillor Deepak Bajaj serving as Vice-Chair. Other members of the committee include Councillors Diane Cank, Mohinder Singh Sangha BEM, and Jenny Joannou. They will be joined by independent members Ms. Fiona Barber, Dr Ed Thompson, Mr Mark Shaw, Ms. Alison Lockley, and Mr Simon Smith. Standing invitees include Mr Michael Edwards and Ms. Mojisola Green, who are identified as Independent Persons. Jessica Skidmore, Governance Services Officer, is listed as an officer contact.