The Standards Committee of Newham Council met on Wednesday 11 March 2026 to discuss and approve the Member Induction and Development Programme for 2026/27, and to review proposed work programmes for the upcoming municipal years. The committee also received updates on dispensations granted by the Monitoring Officer and discussed guidance regarding pre-election publicity.

Member Induction and Development Programme, 2026/27

The committee endorsed the draft Member Induction and Development Programme for 2026/27, which aims to equip new councillors with the necessary skills and to support the continuous development of returning councillors. The programme includes a mix of in-person and hybrid sessions, with mandatory training for specific roles and committees. A key aspect of the programme is the proposal to add attendance at Member Development sessions to councillors' public attendance records. The committee also agreed to bring forward a cultural awareness training session that was initially scheduled during Ramadan. The aim is for Newham Council to achieve LGA Member Development Charter status by 2027, positioning the borough as a leader in this area.

The programme includes a comprehensive schedule of sessions covering a wide range of topics, from safeguarding and data protection to council finances and working with residents and officers. Mandatory sessions include statutory training for members of Planning, Licensing, Audit, and Pension Committees. Other mandatory sessions cover Data Protection and Cyber Security, Council Finances, and Performance Monitoring. The programme also incorporates feedback mechanisms, including anonymous evaluation questionnaires after each session, confidential meetings with Democratic Services, and cohort discussions.

The committee also discussed the LGA Member Development Charter, which serves as a benchmark for evaluating the success of the programme. Achieving Charter status would demonstrate significant progress in member development.

Proposed Work Programmes for 2025/26 and 2026/27

The committee reviewed and agreed the proposed work programmes for the remainder of the 2025/26 municipal year and for the upcoming 2026/27 municipal year. These programmes outline the standing items and key topics the committee will address, including updates on complaints, dispensations, the register of interests, and gifts and hospitality. The work programmes also include the Standards Committee's Annual Report to the Annual Meeting of Council and ongoing updates on the Member Induction and Development Programme.

Dispensations Granted by the Monitoring Officer

The committee was asked to provide observations on whether a four-year general dispensation, granted by a previous Monitoring Officer in 2022, should be renewed from May 2026. This dispensation allows members to participate in discussions and vote on matters where they have certain disclosable pecuniary interests, provided these interests are common to the majority of inhabitants, remote, or relate to specific areas such as council housing (unless related to their own tenancy), school meals, member allowances, setting Council Tax, agreeing Local Council Tax Benefit Schemes, interests arising from membership of outside bodies to which the authority has appointed them, or the Local Government Pension Scheme (unless relating to their own circumstances). The committee's observations will inform the Monitoring Officer's decision.

Pre-Election/Transition to a New Administration Guidance

The committee received guidance on Council publicity and activity in the lead-up to the May 2026 elections for the Mayor and Councillors. The guidance, issued by Janie Berry, Interim Director of Law and Governance and Monitoring Officer, outlines the restrictions on political publicity during the pre-election period, which formally begins on 25 March 2026. The core principles are that Council publicity must not be party political, officers must remain politically neutral, and Council resources must not be used for party political purposes. The guidance stresses the importance of avoiding involvement of current councillors and the Mayor in publicity materials, with a council spokesperson being quoted instead. It also advises caution regarding politically controversial issues and campaigns that might feature in the election. The guidance clarifies that business as usual continues, and restrictions do not apply to the provision of services or decision-making in meetings, although reporting of meetings outside of formal minutes should be managed carefully.

Standards Committee Annual Report

The committee reviewed the draft Annual Report for submission to the Annual Meeting of Council in May 2026. The report provides an overview of the committee's work during the previous municipal year and outlines future areas of focus. It details the role of the Standards Committee, including its responsibilities for handling complaints, promoting high standards of conduct, and advising on the Council's Code of Conduct. The report also covers the committee's membership, including the appointment of Independent Members and Independent Persons, and details the meetings held during the 2025/2026 municipal year.

The report highlights key topics considered, such as the composition of the Standards Committee, the outcome of the government's consultation on remote attendance and proxy voting, and updates on member development training. It also references the committee's consideration of the Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England consultation response and the review of the draft Member Induction and Development Programme. The committee was invited to suggest any other information for inclusion in the annual report.