Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
22
Meetings (2025):
74
Meetings (2024):
72
Meeting
Standards Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 15th September 2025
6:30 PM
Monday, 15th September 2025
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 15th September 2025
9:30 PM
Monday, 15th September 2025
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
15 Sep 2025
15 Sep 2025
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Chair
Ms A Povey (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Mr I Elkins (Parish Councillor)
Apologies
Committee Member
Ms F Maritan-Hawkins (Parish Councillor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ms A Orchard (Independent Standards Assessor)
Absent
Committee Member
Mrs L Agnew (Parish Councillor)
Apologies
Committee Member
Mr M Slatford (Parish Councillor)
Apologies
Reserve
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Committee Member
Ms A Lewis (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ms S Goddard (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Committee Member
Committee Member
Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee
Agenda
0
Standards Committee Work Programme for 2025/2026
Minutes
The Committee reviewed its work programme.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Draft Annual Report, extension of Independent Standards Assessor terms and the review of the Code of Conduct, Social Media Guidance and Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints against Councillors would be presented at the March meeting.
It was also confirmed that the council was still waiting for an update from the Government regarding its consultation on reforms to the local standards framework. The Monitoring Officer stated if any changes were announced between meetings, they would be circulated to committee members alongside the possible arrangement of a workshop.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Draft Annual Report, extension of Independent Standards Assessor terms and the review of the Code of Conduct, Social Media Guidance and Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints against Councillors would be presented at the March meeting.
It was also confirmed that the council was still waiting for an update from the Government regarding its consultation on reforms to the local standards framework. The Monitoring Officer stated if any changes were announced between meetings, they would be circulated to committee members alongside the possible arrangement of a workshop.
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
Apologies were received from Parish Councillors L Agnew, I Elkins, and M Slatford.
A Orchard was absent.
A Orchard was absent.
2
Appointment of Vice-Chair
To appoint a Vice-Chair to the Standards Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
Minutes
Councillor J Slimin was appointed as Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee for the 2025/26 municipal year.
3
Declarations of interest
Minutes
There were no declarations of interest.
4
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.
5
Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2025
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 17 March 2025 04 Sep 2025
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 17 March 2025 were confirmed by the Committee and signed by the Chair as an accurate record.
6
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 Report 04 Sep 2025
- Document Appendix 1 04 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which updated the Committee in progress in determining Code of Conduct complaints received against Borough, Parish, and Town councillors.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed that, since completion of the report, a complaint investigation had been concluded, to which there was no breach of the Code of Conduct, but recommendations had been made for the council involved to adopt. It was also confirmed that a new complaint had been received on 29 August.
The Monitoring Officer stated that nine complaints had been received in 2025, to which four had reached a conclusion and five remained ongoing.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Sought clarification on a complaint against a councillor about a failure to treat a member of the public with respect by failing to respond to communications, and questioned what was considered as acceptable communication. The Monitoring Officer stated that each case had to be considered on an individual basis and confirmed the complaint had been resolved. Commented that it was difficult for councillors to answer all correspondence in pre-election periods. Questioned if several complaints had come from the same parish council, and if the parish council had been trained on the Code of Conduct. Asked if guidance regarding complaints, including case studies could be provided to assist parish councils. The Monitoring Officer stated further information could be provided.
Resolved: The Committee note the progress made on complaints received and the learning derived from the consideration of complaints.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed that, since completion of the report, a complaint investigation had been concluded, to which there was no breach of the Code of Conduct, but recommendations had been made for the council involved to adopt. It was also confirmed that a new complaint had been received on 29 August.
The Monitoring Officer stated that nine complaints had been received in 2025, to which four had reached a conclusion and five remained ongoing.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
Sought clarification on a complaint against a councillor about a failure to treat a member of the public with respect by failing to respond to communications, and questioned what was considered as acceptable communication. The Monitoring Officer stated that each case had to be considered on an individual basis and confirmed the complaint had been resolved. Commented that it was difficult for councillors to answer all correspondence in pre-election periods. Questioned if several complaints had come from the same parish council, and if the parish council had been trained on the Code of Conduct. Asked if guidance regarding complaints, including case studies could be provided to assist parish councils. The Monitoring Officer stated further information could be provided.
Resolved: The Committee note the progress made on complaints received and the learning derived from the consideration of complaints.
7
Recruitment of Independent Standards Assessors - Update
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report updates the Committee on the outcome of the recruitment process for an Independent Standards Assessor and an Independent Person.
This report updates the Committee on the outcome of the recruitment process for an Independent Standards Assessor and an Independent Person.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Sep 2025
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report which updated the Committee on the outcome on the recruitment process for an Independent Standards Assessor and an Independent Person.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed the recommendation of the Interview Panel to Council was to appoint Karen McManus as an Independent Standards Assessor and Natasha Jindal as an Independent Person to commence their terms of 1 November 2025. The Monitoring Officer also thanked the Interview Panel for their participation in the interviews, namely Councilllor A Mummalaneni, Parish Councillor F Maritan Hawkins, and Councillor J Slimin.
The Monitoring Officer invited the Committee to thank Alan Harrison, Independent Person, and Amanda Orchard, Independent Standards Assessor for their contributions to the standards process upon the expiration of their four-year term on 31 October 2025.
Resolved: The Committee:
Note the recommendation of the Interview Panel to Council for the appointment of Karen McManus as an Independent Standards Assessor and Natasha Jindal as an Independent Person to commence their initial two-year terms on 1 November 2025. Expresses its thanks and gratitude to Alan Harrison, Independent Person and Amanda Orchard, Independent Standards Assessor for their contributions to the standards process.
The Monitoring Officer confirmed the recommendation of the Interview Panel to Council was to appoint Karen McManus as an Independent Standards Assessor and Natasha Jindal as an Independent Person to commence their terms of 1 November 2025. The Monitoring Officer also thanked the Interview Panel for their participation in the interviews, namely Councilllor A Mummalaneni, Parish Councillor F Maritan Hawkins, and Councillor J Slimin.
The Monitoring Officer invited the Committee to thank Alan Harrison, Independent Person, and Amanda Orchard, Independent Standards Assessor for their contributions to the standards process upon the expiration of their four-year term on 31 October 2025.
Resolved: The Committee:
Note the recommendation of the Interview Panel to Council for the appointment of Karen McManus as an Independent Standards Assessor and Natasha Jindal as an Independent Person to commence their initial two-year terms on 1 November 2025. Expresses its thanks and gratitude to Alan Harrison, Independent Person and Amanda Orchard, Independent Standards Assessor for their contributions to the standards process.
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