Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
22
Meetings (2025):
67
Meetings (2024):
72
Meeting
Standards Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 17th March 2025
6:30 PM
Monday, 17th March 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 17th March 2025
9:30 PM
Monday, 17th March 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
17 Mar 2025
17 Mar 2025
Location:
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Committee Rooms 1 & 2 - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Committee Member
Mrs L Agnew (Parish Councillor)
Present, as expected
Chair
Ms A Lewis (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Mr I Elkins (Parish Councillor)
Apologies
Committee Member
Ms F Maritan-Hawkins (Parish Councillor)
Apologies
Committee Member
Chair of the Investigating and Disciplinary and Standards Appeals Committee
Committee Member
Mr M Slatford (Parish Councillor)
Apologies
Reserve
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Reserve
Chair of the Development Control Committee
Committee Member
Ms A Povey (Independent Standards Assessor)
Apologies
Committee Member
Ms S Goddard (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Chair of the Licensing Committee
Committee Member
Ms A Orchard (Independent Standards Assessor)
Absent
Agenda
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Parish Councillors I Elkins, F Maritan-Hawkins, M Slatford and A Povey- Independent Standards Assessor.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
3
Urgent matters
To consider any items of business, other than those shown on this agenda and which, by reason of special circumstances to be stated at the meeting, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2024
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2024 06 Mar 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 11 November 2024 were confirmed by the Committee as a correct record and signed by the Chair.
5
Consultation on Strengthening the Standards Framework
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report refers to the recently closed Government consultation and provides information about the submission made by the Monitoring Officer taking into account the discussions at a workshop held on 17 February 2025, the response from the Conduct Advisory Panel at Hampshire County Council and the response made by the Local Government Association (LGA).
This report refers to the recently closed Government consultation and provides information about the submission made by the Monitoring Officer taking into account the discussions at a workshop held on 17 February 2025, the response from the Conduct Advisory Panel at Hampshire County Council and the response made by the Local Government Association (LGA).
Attachments:
- Document Report 06 Mar 2025
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which referred to the recently closed consultation by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England. The report provided information about the submission made by the Monitoring Officer, which considered discussions at a workshop held on 17 February 2025. Furthermore, the report detailed consultation responses from the Conduct Advisory Panel at Hampshire County Council and the Local Government Association (LGA).
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
The council did not face significant issues with councillor behaviour. Questioned the need to change the borough’s complaints process and whether potential changes would be influenced by government policy. The Monitoring Officer explained that local authorities experienced challenges in sanctioning councillors for code of conduct issues, which the government sought to address by establishing a consistent framework. There needed to be confidence that complaints would be handled appropriately across local authorities, and it was acknowledged that the government consultation could play a role in this. Stated uncertainty about whether any proposed standard should apply equally to parish and borough councillors, given increased differences between the roles, and sought further clarification from the government. Highlighted the need for stronger provision, including suspension powers, to address code of conduct breaches. Noted that some complaints were vexatious and could cause stress if not dealt with quickly. In response to questions, the Monitoring Officer clarified there were time limits to deal with various stages of the complaints process. Commented on the potential impact of ongoing local government reorganisation proposals on the number of complaints in each local authority area.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
The council did not face significant issues with councillor behaviour. Questioned the need to change the borough’s complaints process and whether potential changes would be influenced by government policy. The Monitoring Officer explained that local authorities experienced challenges in sanctioning councillors for code of conduct issues, which the government sought to address by establishing a consistent framework. There needed to be confidence that complaints would be handled appropriately across local authorities, and it was acknowledged that the government consultation could play a role in this. Stated uncertainty about whether any proposed standard should apply equally to parish and borough councillors, given increased differences between the roles, and sought further clarification from the government. Highlighted the need for stronger provision, including suspension powers, to address code of conduct breaches. Noted that some complaints were vexatious and could cause stress if not dealt with quickly. In response to questions, the Monitoring Officer clarified there were time limits to deal with various stages of the complaints process. Commented on the potential impact of ongoing local government reorganisation proposals on the number of complaints in each local authority area.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report.
6
Recruitment of Independent Person and Independent Standards Assessors
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report seeks the Committee’s approval to the recruitment process for the appointment of one Independent Person (IP) and one Independent Standards Assessor (ISA).
This report seeks the Committee’s approval to the recruitment process for the appointment of one Independent Person (IP) and one Independent Standards Assessor (ISA).
Attachments:
- Document Recruitment of Independent Person and Independent Standards Assessors 06 Mar 2025
- Document Appendix 1 Selection Procedure 06 Mar 2025
- Document Appendix 2 Independent Person Information Pack 06 Mar 2025
- Document Appendix 3 Independent Standards Assessor Information Pack 06 Mar 2025
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which sought the Committee’s approval to the recruitment process for the appointment of one Independent Person (IP) and one Independent Standards Assessor (ISA), due to the expiration of one IP and one ISA term on 31 October 2025 and could not be renewed further.
Several eligible committee members expressed an interest in joining the interview panel.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the recruitment of one Independent Person and one Independent Standards Assessor. Agrees that the interview panel consist of two Borough Councillors and one Parish/Town Councillor and the Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer to be present as advisor to the panel. Agrees that the interview panel recommend to Council the appointment of one Independent Person and one Independent Standards Assessor.
Several eligible committee members expressed an interest in joining the interview panel.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the recruitment of one Independent Person and one Independent Standards Assessor. Agrees that the interview panel consist of two Borough Councillors and one Parish/Town Councillor and the Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer to be present as advisor to the panel. Agrees that the interview panel recommend to Council the appointment of one Independent Person and one Independent Standards Assessor.
7
Draft Annual Report
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report seeks the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report attached at Appendix 1.
This report seeks the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report attached at Appendix 1.
Attachments:
- Document Draft Annual Report of the Standards Committee 06 Mar 2025
- Document Appendix 1 Draft Annual Report of the Standards Committee 06 Mar 2025
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which sought the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report attached at appendix 1 of the report.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the Annual Report for publication in the form in appendix 1. Recommends presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
Resolved: The Committee:
Approves the Annual Report for publication in the form in appendix 1. Recommends presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
8
Complaints Report
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report seeks to update the Committee on progress in determining Code of Conduct complaints received against borough, parish and town councillors.
This report seeks to update the Committee on progress in determining Code of Conduct complaints received against borough, parish and town councillors.
Attachments:
- Document Complaints Update Report 06 Mar 2025
- Document Appendix 1 Complaint Record 06 Mar 2025
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which sought to update the Committee on progress in determining Code of Conduct complaints, received against borough, parish, and town councillors.
It was confirmed that the Council had received an increase of the number of complaints in the 2024/25 municipal year which totalled 19 complaints. There were two complaints still to be determined.
The Monitoring Officer stated that one complaint had been investigated, to which there was no breach of the code of conduct. The process provided some learning as it was noted that the complainant did not cooperate with the investigation, and that earlier intervention and communication would take place in the future.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Observed that of the 19 complaints, 9 were related to borough councillors and 10 related to parish and town councillors and asked if there had been any breaches of the code of conduct found. The Monitoring Officer clarified that there were no breaches found. Suggested that increased councillor participation for its code of conduct training could help reduce complaints. Emphasised the importance of ensuring people felt comfortable coming forward with complaints to the council. Suggested a mandatory e-learning module on the code of conduct be introduced for councillors. The Monitoring Officer referred to the LGA code of conduct e-learning module which councillors could complete. The Monitoring Officer explained that making code of conduct training mandatory would require discussion with political group leaders and the council’s Constitution Working Group.
Resolved: The Committee note the progress made on complaints received and the learning derived from the consideration of complaints.
It was confirmed that the Council had received an increase of the number of complaints in the 2024/25 municipal year which totalled 19 complaints. There were two complaints still to be determined.
The Monitoring Officer stated that one complaint had been investigated, to which there was no breach of the code of conduct. The process provided some learning as it was noted that the complainant did not cooperate with the investigation, and that earlier intervention and communication would take place in the future.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Observed that of the 19 complaints, 9 were related to borough councillors and 10 related to parish and town councillors and asked if there had been any breaches of the code of conduct found. The Monitoring Officer clarified that there were no breaches found. Suggested that increased councillor participation for its code of conduct training could help reduce complaints. Emphasised the importance of ensuring people felt comfortable coming forward with complaints to the council. Suggested a mandatory e-learning module on the code of conduct be introduced for councillors. The Monitoring Officer referred to the LGA code of conduct e-learning module which councillors could complete. The Monitoring Officer explained that making code of conduct training mandatory would require discussion with political group leaders and the council’s Constitution Working Group.
Resolved: The Committee note the progress made on complaints received and the learning derived from the consideration of complaints.
9
Standards Committee Work Programme 2025/2026
The Committee is asked to note and review its Work Programme.
Attachments:
- Document Standards Committee Work Programme 2025/2026 06 Mar 2025
Minutes
The Committee reviewed and agreed its work programme.
The Monitoring Officer stated that an update on recruitment of Independent Person and Independent Standards Assessors would be presented at the September meeting, alongside extension of IP and ISA terms. An update on the government consultation to strengthen the standards framework would be provided as further information became available.
It was suggested to attempt to recruit young people for the IP and ISA roles.
The Monitoring Officer stated that an update on recruitment of Independent Person and Independent Standards Assessors would be presented at the September meeting, alongside extension of IP and ISA terms. An update on the government consultation to strengthen the standards framework would be provided as further information became available.
It was suggested to attempt to recruit young people for the IP and ISA roles.
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