The Standards Committee met on Thursday 22 February 2024 to discuss its Biennial Standards Committee Report and its Work Programme for the upcoming year. A revised version of the Biennial Report will be prepared, and the Work Programme will include a review of the Member/Officer Protocol.

Biennial Standards Committee Report

The Committee reviewed its Biennial Standards Committee Report, which covers the period from March 2022 to March 2024. The report details the work undertaken by the Committee over the past two years, including a review of the rules of debate at Council meetings, the development of guidance on personal safety for Members, revisions to the Member/Officer Protocol, and the arrangement of Code of Conduct training. The report also incorporates the Nolan Principles, which underpin the ethical standards expected of public office holders.

The Committee discussed the format of the report, requesting revisions to its colours, images, and orientation. There was also a specific request to include photographs of the Independent Persons and the former Chair of the Committee. It was agreed that a revised version of the report would be prepared and circulated to the Committee for comments and approval. The report is intended to be recommended to Full Council for noting.

Work Programme

Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury proposed that a review of the Member/Officer Protocol be included in the Work Programme for 2024-25. He noted that some newly elected Councillors would not have had the opportunity to contribute to the Protocol's development since its revision in 2022. Councillor Sara Hassan added that the issue of diversity should also be incorporated into this review. The Committee agreed to add these items to the work programme, suggesting they be addressed at the February 2025 meeting. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that work on reviewing the Protocol would commence in the coming months to allow for a fully formulated document to be presented. The Chair requested that any consultation regarding the Protocol be conducted through the Leaders of both political groups and the Whips.

Due to a lack of further business, the Committee agreed to cancel its meeting scheduled for 11 July 2024.

The meeting was attended by Councillor Ruth Bush (Chair), Councillor Md Shamsed Chowdhury, Councillor Sara Hassan, Councillor Tim Mitchell, and Independent Person Asif Iqbal MBE. Councillor Louise Hyams sent apologies for absence.