The Croydon Ethics Committee met on Wednesday, 11 March 2026, to discuss the reappointment of an independent person, review declarations of gifts and hospitality, and consider recent developments in ethical standards. Key decisions included recommending the reappointment of Ashok Kumar as an independent person for a further two-year term and noting the report on ethics complaints received in the fourth quarter of 2025.

Re-appointment of an Independent Person

The committee recommended to the full council the reappointment of Ashok Kumar as an independent person for a further two-year term, commencing from 14 May 2026. This decision was made to ensure the council retains a sufficient number of experienced independent persons to fulfil its statutory duties under the Localism Act 2011¹. Councillor Brigitte Graham noted that Mr. Kumar is very diligent and he always attends meetings.

Members' Gifts and Hospitality

The committee noted the requirements for members regarding the declaration of gifts and hospitality, as well as the declarations made by members since 5 November 2025. The report detailed various gifts and instances of hospitality received by councillors, with values ranging from under £10 to £150. These included dinner invitations, tickets to events, and gifts such as flowers and boxes of chocolates. Councillor Helen Redfern raised a point about the declaration of very small items, suggesting that sometimes the list is for the things that really don't need to be declared. However, I do understand why people do that. But maybe we should add a bit of discretion on that sometimes.

Granting of Dispensation

The committee was informed about a dispensation granted by the Monitoring Officer to all members for the consideration of the Croydon Budget 2026-27 and the Members' Scheme of Allowance 2026-27 at the Budget Council meeting on 25 February 2026. This dispensation was necessary because a significant number of members had disclosable pecuniary interests (DPIs) related to these matters, which would have impeded the transaction of business. The dispensation was granted under the criteria that so many Members of the decision-making body have DPIs, ORIs or NRIs in a matter that it would impede the transaction of the business.

Annual Report on Ethics Complaints for 2025

The committee noted the annual report on ethics complaints for 2025. A total of 17 complaints were received, an increase from the two received in 2024 but similar to the 14 received in 2023. This volume is substantially lower than the 43 complaints received in 2022. Of the 17 complaints, three were withdrawn, and six did not proceed due to a lack of further information from the complainants. Three matters proceeded to an initial assessment with no further action required, as no breach of the Code of Conduct was found. The nature of these complaints primarily related to councillors not responding to correspondence in a timely manner or social media posts. The report highlighted that while councillors receive a large volume of correspondence, a failure to respond to every item does not automatically constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Update on Ethics Complaints Received in the Fourth Quarter of 2025

The committee received an update on ethics complaints received in the fourth quarter of 2025, up to 31 December 2025. Two complaints were received during this period. In both instances, further information was requested from the complainants. One complainant withdrew their complaint, and the other did not provide the requested additional information, meaning no assessment could be undertaken. Councillor Luke Shortland inquired about the process when no assessment can be undertaken, and it was clarified that files are kept for record-keeping purposes to enable audits and the preparation of annual reports.

Recent Developments in Ethical Standards

The committee received a report on recent developments in ethical standards, including proposed government changes to the standards and conduct framework for local authorities. Key proposals include the potential for a mandatory code of conduct for all local authorities, legislation for a right to review of standards committee decisions for both complainants and respondents, and powers for local authorities to suspend elected members for serious breaches of the code of conduct, with the option to withhold allowances and institute bans from council facilities. The report also highlighted a Tameside Standards Committee investigation where six councillors were found to have breached the Code of Conduct over their involvement in a WhatsApp group. This case served as a reminder to councillors about the importance of their conduct on social media, even in private groups, and the potential for such communications to be investigated if they relate to council business or bring the council into disrepute. The report also touched upon guidance from the Home Affairs Committee suggesting that Safety Advisory Groups (SAGs) should not include councillors, following an incident in Birmingham. Finally, advice from Tendring District Council to town and parish councils regarding the responsible use of social media was also discussed, emphasizing data protection implications.

Work Programme

The committee considered and agreed to note the work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. The proposed agenda for the next meeting on 15 July 2026 includes standing items such as members' dispensations, complaint monitoring, gifts and hospitality, and legal and ethics updates. It will also feature amendments to the Members' Code of Conduct and arrangements for dealing with allegations of breaches of the code.