The Standards Committee of Milton Keynes Council met on Thursday 13 June 2024 to discuss several key issues, including the annual and periodic report of the Monitoring Officer, a review of social media guidance, and arrangements for dispensations. The committee made decisions on the approval of the social media guidance and the granting of dispensations for councillors.

Annual and Periodic Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Director of Law and Governance presented the Periodic Report of the Monitoring Officer, which included both the annual and periodic reports. Key points discussed were:

• A recommendation for the Monitoring Officer to write to the Secretary of State regarding proposed engagement on the subject of sanctions.
• An increase in the number of complaints against councillors, with 18 complaints received since 16 March 2023, and an additional four complaints since the publication of the agenda. Three of these new complaints were against Ward Councillors and one against a Parish Councillor.

Councillors Geary and Hume highlighted the number of complaints against members of Kents Hill & Monkston Parish Council and suggested early support to prevent escalation of issues.

The committee resolved to note and agree on the annual report and to ask the Monitoring Officer to write to the Secretary of State about sanctions.

Review of Social Media Guidance

The Director of Law and Governance introduced the review of the social media guidance, which included two additional documents: a Civility & Respect Toolkit and a Safety, Health & Wellbeing Guide. Only the social media guidance was a constitutional document, recommended for approval at the full Council meeting in June.

Key points discussed included:

• Continuous review of the social media guidance due to its fast-moving nature, with a biannual review by the Standards Committee.
• Amendments to ensure objectivity and impartiality in the complaints procedure by referring to the Monitoring Officer or their nominee.
• Consideration of advice from the Local Government Association (LGA) regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
• Inclusion of a definition of social media to enhance clarity.
• Updates to cover potential legal issues and copyright infringements, including the use of images.
• Establishing responsibility for jointly run social media pages.
• Legal responsibility for safety when canvassing or leafletting on private property, governed by the Dangerous Dogs Act 1991.

The committee resolved to recommend the draft social media guidance for approval by the full Council, subject to agreed revisions, and delegated authority to the Director of Law and Governance for minor corrections.

Arrangements for Dispensations

The Director of Law and Governance introduced the item on arrangements for dispensations, last agreed in March 2020 for four years. The committee resolved to grant the following dispensations for a period of four years from 14 March 2024:

• Housing, where the councillor is a tenant of the authority, provided it does not relate particularly to their tenancy or lease.
• School meals or school transport and travelling expenses, where the councillor is a parent or guardian of a child in full-time education or a parent governor, unless it relates particularly to the school the child attends.
• Allowances, payments, or indemnities given to councillors.
• Any ceremonial honour given to a councillor.