Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies were received and noted for Rose Mazza, Independent Person.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see the attached sheet for further guidance for Members.]

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial interests or disclosable pecuniary interests which they might have in respect of business on the agenda.  None were declared.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting during consideration of exempt Annexes A(ii) and B (ii) to Agenda Item 8 (Monitoring report in Respect of Complaints Received) on the grounds that it contains information which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals. 

This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 2 of Part 1  of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved: That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt versions of Annexes A and B to Agenda Item 9 (Monitoring Report in Respect of Complaints Received), on the grounds that they contain information likely to reveal the identity of individuals, which is classed as exempt under Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 16 September 2025.

Resolved:   That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 16 September 2025 be approved as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines are set as 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at our meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Thursday, 27 November 2025.      

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Members are asked to consider and provide feedback on the proposed changes to Appendix 29 of the Council’s constitution.

[Report to follow]

The Head of Legal Services introduced his report on the review of handling arrangements for Code of Conduct breach allegations.  He noted the requirements for investigations to be fair, objective, impartial and quick.  He emphasised that only the Joint Standards Committee (JSC) could find a breach and apply sanctions and highlighted that the revised process removed the need for sub-committees.  The matter of quoracy, which presently stands at four, was raised, noting that an uneven quorum should be considered for this type of decision-making committee.

In relation to the draft appendix 29, members noted that Haxby has a town council.

Members discussed the process of managing witnesses at hearings and, following debate, were largely in support of the process outlined in the draft appendix.  In relation to the matter of quoracy, members leaned towards a quoracy of five, which, they felt, would provide a more balanced opinion.  Members were also in agreement that if a Councillor received a formal reprimand, a record of this should be available on the council website.

Officers clarified that the formal reprimand for a Parish Councillor needed to be issued through, rather than by, the Parish Clerk.  They also confirmed that there was no legal power to enforce sanctions, however, an informal sanction could be reviewed and progressed further to a formal sanction, should no action by the subject member have taken place.

Resolved:             That members take some time to consider the draft appendix and submit their comments ahead of the Christmas period.

Reason:                To allow a revised draft of appendix 29 to be brought to the committee at the following meeting of the committee in January.

To consider the Committee’s work plan for the current year and decide whether any amendments or additions are required.

Members considered the committee’s work plan for the current municipal year.

Resolved:   That the work plan be approved subject to the following additions:

·       Update to Appendix 29

Reason:      To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.

To receive a routine update report on recent standards complaints.

Members considered a report which provided an update on current business as regards complaints.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the committee is aware of current levels of activity.