NORTH YORKSHIRE COUNCIL
STANDARDS AND GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
19 June 2026
Local Ethical Framework Developments
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1.0 PURPOSE OF REPORT
1.1 To update Members on developments in the national ethical framework under the Localism Act 2011.
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2.0 BACKGROUND
2.1 Members receive a report at each ordinary Standards and Governance Committee meeting setting out any recent developments in the national ethical framework.
3.0 GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO STRENGTHENING THE STANDARDS REGIME
3.1 The Committee has been briefed at previous meetings regarding the Government’s response to the consultation - Strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities in England – consultation results and government response - GOV.UK with the Government intending to "legislate for a whole system reform of the current regime as set out in Localism Act 2011" when parliamentary time permits.
3.2 In the recently published King’s Speech, there was no mention of reforms to the standards regime as had been expected. There is therefore no clear indication of when the legislative changes will be made.
3.3 Members will be kept informed of developments.
4.0 PUBLICATION OF COUNCILLORS’ USUAL RESIDENTIAL ADDRESS
4.1 Section 65 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 amends the Localism Act 2011 with the effect that from 29 June 2026, councillors’ usual residential address must not be published in the public Register of Members’ Interests unless Members specifically request their address be published.
4.2 This is the subject of a separate report to the Committee’s meeting on 19 June 2026.
5.0 ETHICS AND INTEGRITY COMMISSION - REVIEW INTO LOBBYING, DISCLOSURE, AND ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT
5.1 The Committee has previously been briefed regarding the establishment in October 2025 of the new Ethics and Integrity Commission, to oversee the ethical standards of ministers and public officials and “drive up standards in public life”, change the ministerial severance arrangements and the business appointment rules.
5.2 The Chair of the Commission has written to the Prime Minister regarding the request for the Commission to review lobbying, disclosure and access to government, welcoming the review. The Commission states it is “an opportunity to look again at the rules, processes and transparency that support high standards. These are areas where we, as the Committee on Standards in Public Life, have previously made recommendations. Many of which have remained unimplemented by successive governments. We will revisit these and look to build on that work, whilst taking into account new evidence and wider changes.”
5.3 Further information is available on the Commission’s website - Review into Lobbying, Disclosure, and Access to Government | Ethics and Integrity Commission.
5.4 The Commission aims to publish the final report “before the summer recess, focussing on the areas the Commission believes it can have the greatest impact.”
5.5 Members will be kept informed of developments regarding the work of the Commission.
6.0 ETHICS AND INTEGRITY COMMISSION – OMBUDSMAN REVIEW
6.1 On 3 March 2026, the Commission announced a review of the public sector ombudsman system. The Chair of the Commission stated that ““We want to look at whether the powers the public sector ombudsman have, and the way they currently operate, enables them to pick up themes and highlight developing problems in our institutions. This review, along with our work on codes of conduct and their oversight mechanisms within public authorities, is intended to raise standards to drive better outcomes for citizens.” The call for evidence closed on 30 April 2026.
6.2 The aim of the Review is to “… look at whether public service ombudsman schemes should play an enhanced role in investigating systemic issues before they escalate and supporting public bodies to instigate swift and meaningful improvements to public services.” Further information is available on the Commission’s website:
Ombudsman Review – Letter from the Chair to the Prime Minister | Ethics and Integrity Commission
Ombudsman Review | Ethics and Integrity Commission
6.3 Members will be kept informed of developments.
7.0 INTIMIDATION IN PUBLIC LIFE
7.1 The Government has announced its intention to launch a new national police unit to identify and target offenders who threaten or harass election candidates. It will “bring together specialist officers and intelligence experts to monitor reports of abuse from across the country — identifying repeat offenders and helping police forces build stronger cases against them. The unit builds on a system already in place to protect MPs, expanding protection to people standing for elected office…. New and strengthened guidance will also be issued to frontline officers, with greater clarity on how to respond to incidents involving politicians…”
7.2 Further information is available online - New measures to protect candidates ahead of local elections - GOV.UK
7.3 Members will be kept informed of developments.
NYC Member Liaison Group on Councillor Safety
7.4 North Yorkshire Council takes Member safety seriously. The Council’s cross party Member Liaison Group on Councillor Safety was established in May 2024 and has met 9 times to date, next due to meet on 19 June 2026. It is supported by the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer and the Head of Democratic Services and Scrutiny and is also attended by the Head of Health and Safety and two North Yorkshire Police Officers.
7.5 The Group has undertaken a number of practical steps to promote Member safety, including:
· Consideration of the Local Government Association’s ‘Debate Not Hate’ campaign and supporting toolkit action points and work undertaken by other authorities to promote councillor safety, to provide a framework against which progress locally can be assessed; and an audit of the Council’s approach to supporting councillors has been undertaken, based upon key aspects of the toolkit;
· An all-councillor survey on member safety completed and the results analysed and responded to in November/December 2024. This is to be repeated on an annual basis;
· A system for the reporting, collation and analysis of incidences where councillors have felt or been threatened or intimidated during the course of their duties has been in place since March 2025;
· The roll out of the PeopleSafe App to all councillors as of 31 March 2025. This is currently used by frontline council staff and enables access to a range of support (check-ins, alarms, times alerts) when visiting somewhere for the first time or where there are concerns;
· The roll out of councillor access to the Staff Warning Register, via Democratic Services, which enables addresses to be checked for any flagged concerns;
· Developing strong relationships with the Police to enhance coordination and foster mutual understanding of abuse affecting councillors and the role of the Police in addressing it, including the establishment of a named Police officer contact as Elected Officials Advisor, who is available to speak with and support councillors who have concerns regarding their safety;
· Cross council planning for the management of committee meetings where contentious issues are being considered and there are large numbers of people attending, planned protest and a risk of possible disruption;
· A standard, documented process for all committee chairs to adopt should there be any public disorder in a meeting;
· Councillors concerned about their physical safety can apply for funding for practical measures to increase security at their homes;
· Councillor addresses and phone numbers can be removed from the Council website where there are concerns around safety;
· Councillor access to wellbeing services can be enabled upon request;
· Training and awareness raising on a range of issues is periodically undertaken through the Member seminars and briefings. A member working group on training and development has been established that is leading on the induction package and first 12 months of development and support for newly elected councils post May 2027. Part of this will focus upon member safety.
7.6 The Group has identified further areas for consideration, including:
· An annual all-councillor survey;
· Training and/or briefings for councillors on the following: personal safety and risk assessment; social media training and digital citizenship; safer canvassing during the election period (March to May 2027) and conflict de-escalation;
· Provision of mentor support for councillors, made available following an incident, and how this would be done through the political groups;
· A review of the current level of support that is available to councillors through the employee wellbeing services.
7.7 One of the Police Officer representatives recently briefed councillors on matters relating to personal safety and security. This is part of a rolling programme of briefings and updates that provide practical tips, information and advice on councillor safety. Details of the briefings and associated documents and links are stored on the dedicated Member landing page on Sharepoint, which enables councillors to refer back to them as and when they need to.
7.8 Members will be kept informed of developments.
8.0 LGA GUIDANCE ON MEMBER-OFFICER RELATIONS PROTOCOL
8.1 The LGA has published an online good practice guidance on member-officer relations protocols - Good practice guidance on member-officer relations protocols | Local Government Association – with the aim of helping members and senior officers to set and promote clear expectations about how members and officers work together for the benefit of local residents and good governance of the authority.
8.2 The LGA states in the introduction that ““Effective working relationships between elected members and officers are fundamental to public service delivery and good governance in local government. They foster mutual respect, clarify roles and enable constructive challenge, which support ethical decision-making, delivery and accountability… Elected members and officers have vital, complementary roles. Elected members provide democratic leadership, set strategic direction, hold decision makers to account and represent the interests of their communities. Officers bring professional expertise, impartial advice, and operational capability to support informed decision-making and delivery. Together, they ensure that public services are delivered economically, efficiently and effectively, in line with local needs and priorities.”
8.3 The LGA guidance covers:
· How can a member-officer relations protocol help?
· Legislative context
· Principles of effective member-officer relations
· Principle 1: Ethical conduct
· Principle 2: Mutual respect and trust
· Principle 3: Clear and well understood roles and responsibilities
· Principle 4: Visible leadership
· What do member-officer relations protocols include?
· Creating or reviewing the protocol
· Embedding the protocol
· Monitoring the protocol
8.4 North Yorkshire Council does have a Protocol for Member/Officer Relations published in Part 5 of the Council’s Constitution - Protocol for Member Officer Relations.pdfand attached at Appendix 1. The Monitoring Officer has looked over the Protocol and believes it remains fit for purpose, however Member’s comments are welcome.
9.0 FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
9.1 There are no significant financial implications arising from this report.
10.0 LEGAL IMPLICATIONS
10.1 The legal implications are set out in the body of this report.
11.0 ENVIRONMENTAL/CLIMATE CHANGE IMPLICATIONS
11.1 There are no significant environmental implications arising from this report.
12.0 EQUALITIES IMPLICATIONS
12.1 There are no significant equalities implications arising from this report.
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13.0 RECOMMENDATIONS
13.1 That the Committee considers whether it wishes to suggest any proposed amendments to the Council’s Protocol for Member/Officer Relations.
13.2 That the Committee notes the contents of this report.
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BARRY KHAN
Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer
Background Papers:
The Localism Act 2011
The English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026
County Hall
NORTHALLERTON
9 June 2026