The Ethics Committee was scheduled to meet to discuss the re-appointment of an independent person, member gifts and hospitality, ethical standards, complaints, and the committee's work programme. The meeting was due to be held in the Council Chamber at the Town Hall. Members of the public were welcome to attend.

Recent Developments in Ethical Standards

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report on recent developments in ethical standards. The report was expected to highlight a number of ethics and legal updates that occurred over the summer, including:

• A Local Government Association (LGA) survey regarding untrue or misleading information published about councillors in their private or political lives. According to the survey, just over half of councillors (52%) reported having untrue or misleading information about their political or personal conduct publicly published. The survey also revealed that the rate of reported abuse and intimidation continues to be high, with seven in 10 councillors reporting experiencing issues in the last 12 months.
• The creation of the Equality and Integrity Commission (EIC), which has replaced the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL).
• A guide from LLG, Solace, and CIPFA on the roles and responsibilities of the three 'Golden Triangle' officers – Head of Paid Service, Section 151 Officer¹ and Monitoring Officer.
• A Sheffield City Councillor who admitted to anonymously posting online comments in support of Sheffield City Council's local plan.
• The arrest of a Basildon Councillor following what it described as repeated public disorder in the council offices, harassment of staff and councillors and trespassing .
• A finding by a Wolverhampton standards sub-committee that a former mayor who was accused of stolen valour breached the code of conduct.
• A councillor who offered ice cream to voters is facing an electoral malpractice inquiry.

The report also included a comment from the Monitoring Officer, reminding members of the council's Members' Handbook, which contains advice and relevant contacts relating to members keeping and feeling safe. The handbook includes a table with quick reference steps for members, should they need it.

Quick Reference Steps for Members:
If you feel threatened or intimidated:
• Remove yourself from the situation
• Call the police if you feel in danger
• Report the incident to your Group Leader and the Council’s Monitoring Officer
• Keep a record of the incident

The Monitoring Officer also commented on the council's Monitoring Officer Protocol, which is set out in Part 5C of the constitution.

Update on Ethics Complaints

The Ethics Committee was scheduled to receive an update on ethics complaints received in the second and third quarters of 2025, up to 30 September 2025. According to the report, the Monitoring Officer received 11 complaints between the date of the last updating report and 30 September 2025. Six complaints were awaiting further information prior to being assessed, two were in abeyance as they were linked to matters in respect of which there are separate legal proceedings, one was at assessment stage, and two had been considered at assessment stage with the outcome of no further action.

The report noted that the Localism Act 2011 requires local authorities to have mechanisms in place to investigate allegations that a member has not complied with the code of conduct². The Monitoring Officer undertakes an initial assessment of complaints in accordance with the assessment criteria adopted by the committee. The assessment criteria are not exhaustive, but include:

• Whether the allegation relates to a disclosable pecuniary interest.
• Whether the complaint is about someone who is still a member.
• Whether the matter has already been the subject of an investigation.
• Whether a period of 3 months has elapsed since the alleged conduct occurred.
• Whether the complaint is sufficiently serious to warrant further action.
• Whether the complaint is malicious, politically motivated or tit-for-tat.
• Whether the complaint is part of the 'rough and tumble of political debate' and conduct between members.
• Whether insufficient information has been provided.
• Whether referring the complaint for an investigation is the best use of public resources and in the public interest.
• Whether the complaint demonstrates a lack of understanding of the code or policies/procedures.
• Whether the complaint relates to the manner in which meetings are conducted.
• Whether the complaint is one person's word against another.
• Whether the complaint can be resolved informally without the need for an investigation.

Re-appointment of an Independent Person

The Ethics Committee was scheduled to consider a report regarding the re-appointment of Luisa Zingone as an Independent Person for a further term of two years.

The report noted that the council is required to appoint at least one Independent Person, whose views must be sought before the council makes a decision on an allegation that it has decided to investigate. The Independent Person's views can also be sought by the authority at any other stage, or by a member or co-opted member against whom an allegation has been made.

The report stated that the council currently has four Independent Persons: Jennifer Gordon, Ashok Kumar, Luisa Zingone and Joanne Middlewick.

The report recommended that the committee agree to recommend to Full Council the re-appointment of Luisa Zingone as Independent Person for a further term of two years from 10 December 2025.

Member Gifts and Hospitality

The committee was scheduled to discuss a report on member gifts and hospitality. According to the report, members must comply with the Members' Code of Conduct, including the requirements around declaring gifts and hospitality they have received.

The report recommended that the committee note the requirements on members with regards to declaring gifts and hospitality, and note gifts and hospitality declarations made by members since 1 June 2025.

Appendix A of the report detailed gifts and hospitality declarations made by members between 1 June 2025 and 4 November 2025. These included:

• Councillor Ria Patel: an orchid from Tamworth Residents Association (estimated value: £10) and a bracelet with the map of Palestine from a resident (value: £2).
• Mayor Jason Perry: a gift set from Be Different 365 Foundation (value: under £10), a VIP guest gift from Purley Mosque (estimated value: £25), a guest ticket and dinner from Newtons LGC Awards (value: £350 - £400), a goody bag from Superdrug at Croydon Pride (value: under £10), a book and dinner from ISKCON South London (value: under £20), lunch for guests from Coco and Nut London (value: under £10), lunch for guests, an African print sash, 3 books and a frame from Goldcrest Ghana (value: £50 - £100), lunch for all guests from Norbury Baptist Church (value: under £10), 2 books from House of Judah Praise Ministries (value: £20), lunch from South East London Chamber (estimated value: £50), and a bag, mug, stress ball, pad and pen from KAPS London (estimated value: £10).
• Councillor Lynne Hale: dinner at Gatwick Region Delegation (value: under £50) and dinner at Wates Residential, hosted by Tim Wates (value: under £50).
• Councillor Richard Chatterjee: hospitality from the Mayor of Arnhem for the Civic Mayor & Civic Mayoress, arising from attendance at Arnhem for the 81st Anniversary Commemorations of Operation Market Garden (hotel accommodation (2 nights) £425; Transportation between Arnhem and sites visited estimated at £270; Refreshments in & around Arnhem estimated at £33. Estimated total: £728).

Work Programme

The committee was scheduled to consider its work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. The report set out the items currently scheduled for future Ethics Committee meetings. The work programme is considered at every meeting of the committee to enable it to respond to issues of concern and incorporate any additional items.

The following items were scheduled for the meeting on 11 March 2026:

• Members' dispensations (if any)
• Complaint monitoring
• Ethics Committee Work Programme
• Members Gifts and Hospitality
• Legal & Ethics Update