Issue - meetings

This report provides Members of the Standards Committee (the Committee) with an update on complaints regarding alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct against councillors received or concluded since the last report to the Committee in October 2025.

The Committee is responsible for maintaining high standards of conduct by Members of BCP Council and the Town and Parish Councils, monitoring the operation of the Code of Conduct, and considering the outcome of commissioned independent investigations.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'B' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The report provided Members of the Standards Committee (the Committee) with an update on complaints regarding alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct against councillors received or concluded since the last report to the Committee in October 2025.

The Committee was responsible for maintaining high standards of conduct by Members of BCP Council and the Town and Parish Councils, monitoring the operation of the Code of Conduct, and considering the outcome of commissioned independent investigations.

Following a query regarding the management of Code of Conduct complaints, the Committee was advised that the timeliness of resolutions had improved. It was explained that managing and considering code of conduct complaints was not a quick process, but that clearer measures were now in place, including recording receipt and closure dates, identifying upheld allegations, and escalating non?compliant cases more effectively. It was also highlighted that a review of the complaints process was due to begin, and it was confirmed that although the position was better than before, there remained further room for improvement.

RESOLVED that the outcome of concluded complaints and the progress of those still outstanding be noted.