Issue - meetings

Sanjay Prashar, Borough Solicitor presented the Annual Standards report, which captured the standards activity and any Code of Conduct complaints during the year.

The report highlighted 18 Code of Conduct complaints; however it was noted that of these, 13 had been brought by two individuals about two instances. All of the complaints during the year had been brought against Borough Councillors, but none had been upheld. The Bracknell Forest complaints figures compared favourably to that of neighbouring authorities.

Governance & Audit Committee had agreed in previous years to continue with the Bracknell Forest local Code of Conduct model.

Training was ongoing for new Councillors to cover the obligation of members under the Code of Conduct.

Arising from questions, the following points were noted:

·        The report would be publicly available and would be presented to Council. No details of any individual had been included in the report.

·        The Code of Conduct was a living document, and a Code of Conduct working group had been convened under the previous administration to review it. It was noted that a review of the Code of Conduct could be undertaken as part of a Constitution review, and any proposed Constitution amendments would be brought before this Committee for review.

RESOLVED that the Standards output in 2022/23 as set out in Appendix B to the report be noted.