Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies were received from Councillors David Ireton and Peter Wilkinson with Councillor Andy Paraskos attending as substitute. An apology for absence was also received from Independent Person Gillian Baker.

Resolved

The minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2026 were agreed and signed as an accurate record.

There were none.

Members of the public may ask questions or make statements at this meeting if they have given notice and provided the text to the Democratic Services Officer (details below) no later than midday on Tuesday, 16 June 2026, three working days before the day of the meeting.

Each speaker should limit themselves to three minutes on any item. If you are exercising your right to speak at this meeting, but do not wish to be recorded, please inform the Chair who will instruct those taking a recording to cease whilst you speak.

There were none.

Considered

The report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer to brief Members on the changes to the Localism Act 2011 by the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 and present the proposed changes to the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members for consideration for recommendation to Full Council for approval.

The Senior Governance Lawyer introduced the report and explained the upcoming legislation change whereby from 29 June 2026, Section 65 of the 2026 Act amends the Localism Act 2011 to insert a new section 32A that a Member’s (including voting co-opted Members) usual residential address must not be published on the Council’s website or in the public Register of Members’ Interests unless the Member specifically requests their address be published.

It was clarified that an address must still be registered confidentially with the Monitoring Officer, even if it is to be withheld from publication. The aim of the new legislation is to improve councillor safety, reduce risks of harassment, modernise transparency rules and ensure that personal data is handled proportionately.

The Senior Governance Lawyer explained that the Monitoring Officer has commenced the process of complying with the new requirements in advance of 29 June 2026. This has involved contacting all NYC councillors, as well as parish clerks for parish and town councils across North Yorkshire, to advise that where a councillor’s usual residential address is currently published in the public Register of Interests and on the Council’s website, it will be deleted and treated as a sensitive interest leading up to 29 June 2026, unless the councillor lets the Monitoring Officer know otherwise. For transparency purposes, the following standard wording would be inserted in place of the published usual residential address on the register:

“The usual residential address interest is withheld from publication under section 32(2) of the Localism Act 2011. From 29 June 2026, the interest is withheld under section 32A Localism Act 2011.”

It was also clarified that the new legislation applies only to a councillor’s usual residential address and if a councillor has multiple land interests registered, they will need to confirm which of their interests they consider to be their usual residential address and whether they want to opt in to publication of it in the public register and on the Council’s website. It was emphasised that councillors may opt in and out at any time by confirmation in writing to the Monitoring Officer.

Appendix 1 sets out the proforma registration of interests form which requires amending to take account of the change in legislation. Similar amendments would be made to the template for parish and town councillors.

Appendix 2 sets out the change to the Members’ Code of Conduct and its provisions regarding registration and declaration of interests. Further information on the suggested amendments can be found at paragraph 4.3.

In response to the report, Members raised the below points:

·       Several Members welcomed the legislative change, noting that it provides greater flexibility and allows councillors to opt in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 189.

Considered

A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer to update Members on developments in the national ethical framework under the Localism Act 2011.

The Senior Governance Laywer advised that the main update related to the amendment introduced by Section 65 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026 to the Localism Act 2011 whereby from 29 June 2026, councillors’ usual residential address must not be published in the public Register of Members’ Interests unless a Member specifically requests that their address be made public.

The report also provided an update on the work of the Ethics and Integrity Commission, the work of the NYC Member Liaison Group on councillor safety and LGA guidance on member-officer relations protocols.

It was further reported that there was no further update regarding reform of the standards regime.

Resolved

       i.         The Committee considered the Council’s Protocol for Member/Officer Relations and did not wish to make any recommendations for its amendment.

     ii.         The Committee noted the contents of the report.

Considered

A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer presenting an update on standards complaints received.

The Senior Governance Lawyer reported that during the period 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, the Council received 183 complaints that members may have breached the relevant authority’s code of conduct for Members.

During the period 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025,133 complaints had been received and from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2024, 174 complaints had been received.

A detailed breakdown of the complaints’ statistics for the three full municipal years were attached at Appendix 1.

In the current municipal year from 1 April 2026 to 29 May 2026, a further 18 complaints had been received and a breakdown was attached at Appendix 2.

The Senior Governance Lawyer reported that whilst the flow of new complaints had slowed during 2024/25, the rate had increased once again during the 2025/26 year. Despite this upturn, the average time taken to process complaints remains significantly reduced, following the introduction of the pre-assessment stage of complaint handling.

Members welcomed the prompt handling of complaints, noting the clarity and usefulness of the data presentation in providing an overview of activity. Clarification was sought on the categorisation of “standards regime” complaints, and it was noted that these relate to allegations of a failure to comply with the standards procedure. Members also observed a potential influence of AI in reported figures.

Resolved

       i.         The Committee considered whether it required any additional statistical reporting in the future and determined that the current range of statistical information sufficed.

     ii.         The Committee noted the current position on standards complaints received.

Considered

The report of the Head of Democratic Services and Scrutiny which outlined the record of attendance of Members at meetings of the Council and its committees for the period 1 May 2025 until 30 April 2026.

A copy of the overall attendance statistics for the period 1 May 2025 until 30 April 2026 was attached at Appendix 1.

The Principal Democratic Services Officer introduced the annual report and it was noted that whilst the information reflected a large proportion of Members’ attendance, it did not include all meetings, as outlined at paragraph 3.3.

It was queried that one Member’s attendance fell below the 66% threshold but had not been highlighted in Appendix 1. In response, the Principal Democratic Services Officer agreed to investigate the matter further.

Resolved

The report was noted. Copies of the statistics would be circulated to the Leaders of the political groups of the Council.

Considered

A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer presenting an update on temporary appointments to parish and town councils made under his delegated powers.

The Principal Democratic Services Officer explained that where parish and town councils become inquorate and cannot meet or conduct any business, a temporary appointment is made under Section 91(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 so that business can continue, and new members can be co-opted onto the parish or town council.

On 6 September 2024, the Committee delegated the power to make temporary

appointments to the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and

Monitoring Officer, in order to streamline the process.

The report outlined that six temporary appointments had been made since the Standards and Governance Committee meeting of 13 March 2026, which were to appoint Councillors Carl Les, divisional representative for Catterick Village and Brompton and Angus Thompson, divisional representative for North Richmondshire to Skeeby Parish Council.

Councillor Alyson Baker, divisional representative for Hillside and Raskelf was temporarily appointed to Sutton under Whitestonecliffe Parish Council.

Councillors Andy Brown, divisional representative for Aire Valley, David Noland, divisional representative for Skipton North and Embsay-with-Eastby and Andy Solloway, divisional representative for Skipton West and West Craven were temporarily appointed to Farnhill Parish Council.

Resolved

Members noted the report.

Considered

A report of the Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer presenting the Standards Training Plan for Members for 2026/27.

A report is brought to each ordinary meeting of the Committee for it to consider the

standards training needs of Members of the Council and how best to meet them through the Standards Training Plan.

The Standards Training Plan was attached at Appendix 1 of the report.

Independent Person Richinda Taylor reported that the recent Independent Persons’ workshop was highly engaging, well attended by representatives from across the UK, and beneficial for both new and experienced IPs.

Resolved

Members noted the Standards Training Plan for Members for 2026/27.

Considered

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer’s report attaching a draft Standards Bulletin.

The Standards Bulletin is produced periodically and circulated to Members and relevant officers of the Council to keep them informed of key developments in the standards regime. Members previously agreed that the Bulletin should be circulated to parish and town councils in the North Yorkshire area.

The Bulletin was attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

Members thanked officers for producing the Bulletin.

Resolved

That the Bulletin be approved for circulation.

Considered

The Assistant Chief Executive Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer’s report on the Committee’s Work Programme for 2026/27.

The Committee previously agreed it would be helpful for the Committee to implement a forward Work Programme of its work, as far as this can be anticipated.

The Programme is a standing item on each scheduled ordinary meeting of the Committee and keeps track of matters that the Committee wishes to review.

A revised Work Programme was attached at Appendix 1.

Resolved

Membered noted the Work Programme at Appendix 1.

Additional Standards and Governance Meetings have been convened for :

Tuesday 30^th June 2026 at 10am to approve the final recommendations of the Community Governance Review prior to Full Council on 15^th July 2026.

Tuesday 24^th November 2026 to approve the polling district and polling place review commencing in August, ahead of the updated register publication in December 2026.

Members noted that additional Standards and Governance Meetings had been convened for:

Tuesday 30 June 2026 at 10am to approve the final recommendations of the

Community Governance Review prior to Full Council on 15th July 2026.

Tuesday 24 November 2026 to approve the polling district and polling place review

commencing in August, ahead of the updated register publication in December 2026.

Any other items which the Chair agrees should be considered as a matter of urgency because of special circumstances.

There was no urgent business.

Dates of the next Standards and Governance meetings are as follows:

Tuesday June 30^th 2026 at 10am

Wednesday 16^th September at 2pm

Tuesday November 24^th 2026 at 10am

The next extraordinary meeting of the Committee is Tuesday 30 June at 10.00 am.

The next scheduled meeting of the Committee is Wednesday 16 September at 2.00 pm.