Agenda, decisions and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received on behalf of Councillors Bolt, Munro and Safdar and Craig Ainsworth (Independent Person).

To approve the Minutes of the Meetings of the Committee held on 12 March and 21 May 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the Meetings held on 12 March and 21 May 2025 be approved as a correct record.

Committee Members will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, or any other interests, which may prevent them from participating in the discussion or vote on any of the items.

No interests were declared.

Most agenda items will be considered in public session, however, it shall be advised whether the Committee will consider any matters in private, by virtue of the reports containing information which falls within a category of exempt information as contained at Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

It was noted that all items would be considered in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and/or deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also submit a petition at the meeting relating to a matter on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10, Members of the Public must submit a deputation in writing, at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting and shall subsequently be notified if the deputation shall be heard. A maximum of four deputations shall be heard at any one meeting.

No deputations or petitions were received.

To receive any public questions.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11, the period for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes.

Any questions must be submitted in writing at least three clear working days in advance of the meeting.

No public questions were received.

To receive the report.

Contact: David Stickley, Legal Services

That the report be noted.

The Committee received a report providing an update on recent developments in local government ethics and standards cases since the last meeting in March 2025. Several notable cases had been reported in the Local Government Lawyer, including a finding of improper influence by a planning committee member at King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council, and a councillor in Tameside found in breach of the code following social media comments. The report also referenced a case in Durham where a newly elected councillor had to step down due to being an employee of the authority, and a former councillor referred to the police for failing to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest. Additionally, the committee noted the outcome of the trial of former councillor Ricky Jones, who was acquitted of encouraging violent disorder.

The report also summarised recent published decisions from standards bodies across the UK. The Standards Commission for Scotland had considered six cases, with breaches found in five, resulting in suspensions or censures. In Northern Ireland, two cases were heard, both resulting in suspensions. The Public Services Ombudsman for Wales investigated 13 cases, none of which were upheld. The Committee was also updated on the work of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL), including its March 2025 report on early warning signs in public sector bodies and its June 2025 annual report, which revisited the 2019 review of local government ethical standards. No feedback had yet been published on the government’s consultation on local standards and conduct.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To receive the report.

Contact: David Stickley, Legal Services

That the report be noted.

The Committee received an update from the Monitoring Officer on complaints made under the Members’ Code of Conduct between 1 March and 31 August 2025. The Committee was informed that 11 complaints had been received during this period, 10 of which related to Kirklees Councillors and one to a Town or Parish Councillor. Of these, two were not pursued, four were not progressed beyond initial assessment, one was resolved informally, and one resulted in a finding of breach. Three complaints remained under investigation at the time of reporting. The Committee also noted that of the nine complaints carried forward from the previous reporting period, five resulted in findings of breach, three were dismissed at the initial stage, and one was resolved informally.

A comparison with the previous reporting period revealed a significant decrease in the number of complaints, from 22 to 11, continuing a downward trend. The nature of the complaints in the current period primarily concerned social media conduct, correspondence, and failure to comply with previous sanctions. It was noted that most complaints were submitted by members of the public, with only one from an officer and none from councillors. The committee was also updated on published decisions, which now only include upheld complaints. The Committee acknowledged the potential influence of the absence of elections in 2025 on the reduced volume of complaints.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.