The Standards Committee of Durham County Council met to discuss updates to the code of conduct, national standards, and the appointment of new members to the committee. The committee was also scheduled to discuss strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England.

Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework

The committee was scheduled to review the government's response to the consultation on Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England. The consultation, which began in December 2024, invited feedback from elected members and officers on proposed reforms to the standards and conduct regime.

The government's response indicated that a majority of respondents supported the introduction of a mandatory code of conduct, the formation of standards committees in all principal authorities, and the continuation of investigations even if a member resigns. The government also proposed to empower authorities to suspend elected members for serious breaches of the code of conduct, withhold allowances, and implement premises and facilities bans.

Code of Conduct Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on complaints received by Durham County Council under the Code of Conduct for Members since the last committee meeting on 12 September 2025.

According to the Code of Conduct Update, between 1 September and 31 October 2025, 26 conduct complaints were received. Of these, 12 were rejected at the pre-assessment stage, and 9 were subject to written Decision Notices concluding no further action was required. As of the report's publication, 5 complaints remained ongoing.

Between 1 November and 19 November 2025, 14 conduct complaints were received, with 10 being rejected at the pre-assessment stage. Reports were being prepared for the Standards Assessment Board for the remaining 4 complaints.

The report also provided an update on 20 complaints received prior to 1 September 2025, with 4 remaining ongoing, 2 rejected, 1 withdrawn, 7 subject to written Decision Notices concluding no further action was required, and 6 subject to Decision Notices recommending local resolution.

National Picture

The committee was scheduled to discuss the national picture on standards issues affecting local government. This included a discussion of a joint statement from local government associations across the UK highlighting the importance of civility in public life amid a rise in threats and abuse against councillors and officers.

The National Picture report also included updates on the new Ethics and Integrity Commission (EIC), which replaced the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) on 13 October 2025, and the Local Government Association's response to the government's announcement on councillor standards.

Recruitment of Independent Persons

The committee was scheduled to consider the appointment of a new Independent Person to the Standards Committee. The council is required to appoint at least one Independent Person under section 28 of the Localism Act 2011¹.

According to the Recruitment of the Independent Persons to the Standards Committee report, seven applications were received, and the appointments panel shortlisted three candidates for interview. Following interviews, the panel recommended that Ms Barbara Seale be appointed as an Independent Person, subject to satisfactory references.

Town and Parish Council Co-opted Member

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the recruitment of two non-voting co-opted Town/Parish Councillors to the Standards Committee.

Following elections in May 2025, the two co-opted positions became vacant. The County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC) was asked to seek expressions of interest from all Town and Parish Councillors. The CDALC Executive Committee met on 2 October 2025, and resolved to recommend Councillors Susan Walker of the City of Durham Parish Council and John Hirst of Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council for the vacancies.