The Standards Committee is scheduled to consider its annual report on code of conduct complaints that did not proceed to a formal investigation, and to review the proposed Members' Allowances Scheme for the upcoming financial year. The committee will also discuss its work programme for future meetings.

No Further Action Code of Conduct Complaints - Monitoring Officer Annual Report

The committee is scheduled to receive the Monitoring Officer's annual report detailing code of conduct complaints against councillors that were determined not to warrant further action. This report, prepared by Fiona Alderman, Director of Legal & Governance and Monitoring Officer, and Haydee Nunes de Souza, Head of Legal and Deputy Monitoring Officer, outlines the process for handling such complaints as set out in the Protocol for Complaints Against Members. The report will explain the criteria used by the Monitoring Officer to decide if an allegation should not proceed, which can include instances where the allegation does not demonstrate a breach of the Members' Code of Conduct, relates to private life, or where there is insufficient evidence. The report covers the period from 1 May 2024 to 1 October 2025, during which six complaints were determined not to merit further action.

Members Allowances Scheme for 2026-2027

A report from the Monitoring Officer, Fiona Alderman, and Ayshe Simsek, Democratic Services and Scrutiny Manager, will be presented for consideration regarding the Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2026-2027 financial year. The council is legally required to adopt such a scheme annually before 31 March. The committee is asked to review the current scheme and consider key findings from the Remuneration of Councillors in London 2023 report by the Independent Panel. This report, which was previously considered by the Standards Committee in January 2025, highlights the increasing complexity of councillors' roles and the time commitment required. It makes recommendations for changes to basic allowances and Special Responsibility Allowances (SRAs), suggesting a basic allowance of £15,960. The report also discusses the impact of removing councillors' access to the local government pension scheme and notes that neighbouring boroughs have implemented a 2.5% increase in their basic allowance. The committee's comments and any recommended changes will be put forward for consideration at the March meeting.

Committee Work Programme

The committee will review its work programme, which identifies topics scheduled to come before the Standards Committee. This includes noting potential future discussions on changes to the Council Constitution and Special Responsibility Allowances for 2026/27, which are anticipated for the meeting on 9 March 2026. The committee is invited to provide input on suggested areas of work.