The Hackney Council Standards Committee met on 8 July 2025 to note the terms of reference, review the minutes from the previous meeting, and review the annual report. The committee was also scheduled to receive a report on compliance regarding member use of ICT.

Standards Committee Annual Report 2024-2025

The committee was scheduled to review the Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/2025. The report provides an overview of the work and activities of the Standards Committee during the last municipal year and information on complaints received alleging breaches of the Councillor Code of Conduct¹. The report was scheduled to be submitted to Full Council following endorsement from the committee.

This is to ensure that all Councillors have an overview of the Committee's work in promoting and maintaining high ethical standards for elected and co-opted Members and information about any complaints received alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct, including any trends.

Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/2025

Louise Humphreys, Director of Legal, Democratic and Electoral Services & Monitoring Officer, noted that the council has a legal duty under the Localism Act 2011² to promote and maintain high standards of conduct of members and co-opted members in public office, and that the annual report is one mechanism by which the council's compliance with this duty can be demonstrated.

Compliance on Member Use of ICT

The committee was scheduled to receive a report on compliance regarding member use of ICT.

Standards Committee Terms of Reference

The committee was asked to note the terms of reference for the Standards Committee. The Standards Committee is responsible for promoting and maintaining high ethical standards at the council. Its functions include:

• Reviewing and maintaining oversight of the council's ethical framework and procedures.
• Reviewing and maintaining oversight of the conduct of councillors and co-opted members.
• Advising Full Council and its committees on the adoption of a Code of Conduct³, codes of practice, and protocols relating to ethical governance matters.
• Hearing and considering complaints made against councillors and co-opted members under the Code of Conduct.
• Adopting procedures for considering complaints made under the Councillor Code of Conduct.
• Considering whether to grant applications for dispensation to councillors and co-opted members, in accordance with Councillor Code of Conduct.
• Maintaining oversight of ethical governance training provided to members and co-opted members.

The Standards Committee has two sub-committees:

• Standards Assessment Sub-Committee
• Standards Hearing Sub-Committee

Minutes of the Previous Meeting

The committee was scheduled to consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 17 February 2025.

The minutes from the previous meeting include a discussion of the government consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities.