The Standards Advisory Committee of Newham Council met on 10 January 2024 to discuss its work programme, ethical framework, and ongoing complaints. The committee agreed to its proposed work programme for the 2023-2024 municipal year and noted the ethical framework update, which included declarations of interests and gifts and hospitality. Several items concerning conduct complaints were deferred to a later meeting.

Standards Advisory Committee Work Programme 2023-2024

The committee agreed to its proposed work programme for the 2023-2024 municipal year. During the discussion, concerns were raised about the member development programme, specifically regarding what constitutes mandatory training and the engagement of councillors with training. Councillor Julie Van Bussel, the Deputy Chair, highlighted these issues. The Interim Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, Satish Mistry, explained that work on this had been delayed due to staff capacity but was now progressing. The committee agreed that the matter of attendance at training should be brought to the committee for the interim.

Ethical Framework Update

The committee received an update on the ethical framework, which included declarations of interests made by the Mayor and councillors between 6 November 2023 and 2 January 2024. It was noted that no declarations of interest were made during this period. The report also detailed gifts and hospitality declared by the Mayor and councillors for the same period. Councillor Neil Wilson declared a gift of an awards dinner with a value of £68.40, offered by Care Provider Voice (North East London) at the Inaugural CARE Provider Voice Care Awards. The committee resolved to note these declarations.

Conduct Complaint - Budget Working Commission

Consideration of the report on the outcome of the investigation into complaints arising from the Budget Working Commission meeting of 20 December 2022 was deferred. The Chair, Reza Choudhury, expressed concern about the late access to the investigation report, noting that some members had only just received it and may not have had sufficient time to review it thoroughly. Members agreed with these concerns, and it was proposed to defer the discussion to a special meeting to be arranged before the end of January 2024. The committee also agreed that the Investigator should present their report at the reconvened meeting and that two complainants who were present should be allowed to address the committee.

Update on Complaints, Schedule of Complaints, and Complaint Submitted Against an Elected Member

These items were all deferred to the special meeting that will be arranged to discuss the Budget Working Commission complaint.

Action Log

The committee reviewed its action log and noted that several actions remained open. Two specific actions were highlighted:

• SAC001 - Review of the LGA's Model Member Code of Conduct: Following the adoption of a new Code of Conduct based on the Local Government Association's (LGA) model code in October 2023, the process for dealing with complaints was discussed in November. However, due to recent by-elections, it was necessary to consult all three political groups. Satish Mistry advised that the complaints process would be circulated to the groups for commentary within three weeks, after which the responses would be considered and a draft sent to all members.
• SAC010 - Begin process to recruit an independent member: The committee expressed disappointment that no further progress had been made on recruiting an independent member. They requested an update at the next meeting, including tangible evidence of the recruitment direction and that the draft advert and job description be shared with all members before being published.