The Standards Committee of Barking and Dagenham Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 2 February 2026 to discuss updates on member complaints, new social media guidance for councillors, and anticipated changes to the councillor standards regime. The meeting will also cover the Localism Act 2011 and its potential impact on statutory changes.

Complaints Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on complaints made against members of the council. The report, authored by Dr. Paul Feild, Principal Standards & Governance Lawyer, and overseen by Deirdre Collins, Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer, will provide information on the status and outcomes of these complaints. The council's Members' Code of Conduct, adopted in accordance with the Localism Act 2011¹, outlines a process for assessing and handling such complaints. The report notes that a robust process is in place to filter out vexatious complaints, with the Monitoring Officer able to apply a public interest test. Appendix A of the report details a rolling record of member complaints received between January 2025 and January 2026, with most complaints having been closed for various reasons, including lack of evidence or being out of time. One complaint was still in progress as of January 2026. The committee is recommended to note this report.

Social Media Guidance for Members

A draft Social Media Guidance for Members is also scheduled for discussion. This guidance aims to provide clarity for councillors on the use of social media, acknowledging its increasing role in public life. The report, also authored by Dr. Paul Feild and overseen by Deirdre Collins, highlights that while guidance exists for council staff, there is currently no equivalent for elected members. The draft guidance, which has undergone consultation, is designed to help members navigate the risks and consequences of inappropriate social media use, ensuring it aligns with the Council's policies and procedures, including the Councillors' Code of Conduct. It covers aspects such as personal and corporate account usage, the role of the Council Communications Team, and considerations for artificial intelligence. The committee is recommended to note the report and comment on the draft guidance.

The Localism Act 2011 and Future Standards Regime Changes

The committee will also consider anticipated statutory changes to the councillor standards regime stemming from the Localism Act 2011. This report, again from Dr. Paul Feild and Deirdre Collins, briefs the committee on the implications of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's document Strengthening the Standards and Conduct Framework – Consultation Results and Government Response, published on 11 November 2025. The anticipated reforms include a mandatory national code of conduct, formal standards committees in all principal local authorities, and potential powers for suspension and disqualification of councillors. The report notes that Barking and Dagenham Council is already well-positioned to adapt, having established a standalone Standards Committee and a Code of Conduct aligned with the Seven Standards of Public Life. However, the report indicates that legislative changes are expected to amend both the Local Government Act 2000 and the Localism Act 2011, with primary and secondary legislation likely to take time to enact, possibly not becoming law until late 2027 at the earliest. The committee is recommended to note this report.