The Members' Code of Conduct Committee of Bexley Council met on Wednesday, 2 April 2025, to review updates on complaints received under the Members' Code of Conduct. The committee received a report detailing five complaints lodged between March 2024 and March 2025, with three resulting in apologies and two being not upheld. The committee also discussed the council's response to a government consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities.

Updates on Complaints under the Members' Code of Conduct

The committee received an update from Patricia Narebor, the Monitoring Officer, regarding complaints made under the Members' Code of Conduct between March 2024 and March 2025. A total of five complaints were lodged during this period. Of these, three concluded with an apology from the councillor involved, and appropriate steps were taken to address the concerns raised. The remaining two complaints were not upheld. Ms. Narebor confirmed that all complainants were satisfied with the outcomes.

The report detailed specific complaints:

• A complaint received on 7 March 2024 from a Councillor alleged that incorrect wording had been introduced into a Cabinet report summary, which was seen as political interference. An addendum was published to correct the summary, and the councillor involved apologised. The complaint was closed.
• On 18 March 2024, a Metropolitan Police Officer made an allegation of abuse of position, intimidation, and lack of respect by a subject member. The councillor made reference to their role as a councillor during an incident at a supermarket. The complainant accepted a letter of apology from the councillor, and the complaint was closed.
• A complaint from a Councillor on 22 May 2024 concerned the use of an image on the Mayor of Bexley's Facebook page and the Mayor's crest on the member's social media account. Administrator rights for the Facebook account have since been transferred to officers. The subject member offered an apology, and the complaint was closed.
• On 18 November 2024, a stakeholder (BID) alleged bullying and a failure to treat the complainant with respect in two separate interactions. The initial assessment concluded that one aspect of the complaint did not pass the public interest test, and the other fell outside the scope of the Members' Code of Conduct. The complaint was closed.
• An anonymous complaint from a member of the public on 29 November 2024 alleged that a councillor was subletting a property to 10 migrants. Investigations found no other related complaints, and the councillor provided assurance that no wrongful activity was occurring. No breach was established, and the complaint was closed.

Gifts and Hospitality

Patricia Narebor informed the committee that there had been no notifications of received gifts valued at over £100 during the financial year April 2024 to March 2025. However, during the previous financial year (April 2023 to March 2024), one instance of gift and hospitality was received, consisting of two tickets valued at £99.00 each, around October 2023. Ms. Narebor reiterated that councillors are obligated to register any gift or hospitality with an estimated value of at least £100 within 28 days of receipt, and also to register any significant gift or hospitality that has been offered but refused. She noted that notifications from councillors regarding gifts and hospitality are rare.

Councillor Nick O'Hare inquired whether gifts under £100 should also be reported. Ms. Narebor clarified that while the Code of Conduct requires reporting gifts over £100, some members voluntarily report any gifts received, even if below that threshold.

Councillor Kurtis Christoforides sought clarification on the wording in the report regarding gifts, noting that it stated members must register gifts over £100, but also mentioned registering significant gifts. Ms. Narebor explained that significant referred to gifts over £100, and that members have discretion in how they register these, for example, by stating they are over £100 without providing an exact amount.

Councillor Mrs June Slaughter suggested that a reminder email be sent to members regarding the legislation on reporting gifts and hospitality, as well as guidance on acceptable social media conduct. Ms. Narebor agreed to arrange this, noting that guidance had been circulated the previous year.

Government Consultation: Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework

Patricia Narebor provided an update on the government's consultation, Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England, which ran from 18 December 2024 to 26 February 2025. She explained that Bexley Council has already adopted the Local Government Association (LGA) model code of conduct, ensuring compliance with the proposal for all principal authorities to have formal standards committees and publish outcomes of investigations. Ms. Narebor, along with Rob Lomas, an independent person, had responded to the consultation, and their response was circulated to all members.

The consultation proposed several legislative changes, including the introduction of a mandatory minimum code of conduct for local authorities, the power for authorities to suspend councillors for serious breaches, and a new category of disqualification for gross misconduct. It also sought views on empowering victims of councillor misconduct. Ms. Narebor stated that the government was in the process of considering the consultation responses and that updates on potential legislative changes would be provided to members when available.

Councillor O'Hare also enquired about the procedure for nominating Independent Persons (IPs) to the committee. Ms. Narebor explained that legislation mandates the appointment of IPs, and the council advertises for these positions every four years. Shortlisted applicants are interviewed, and two IPs are appointed for a four-year term. The last appointments were made in 2022, meaning the advertisement process would commence again in due course.

Councillor Sally Hinkley suggested that she and Councillor O'Hare, as whips for their respective parties, could remind members of the legislation and processes at their party meetings. Councillor O'Hare agreed with this suggestion.

Other Matters

The committee formally approved the minutes from the previous meeting held on 28 March 2024. No declarations of interest were made by any councillors present, and there were no items of late business. Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Philip Read, John Davey, and Esther Amaning.

The meeting concluded at 7.45 pm.