Decision details

RESOLVED

i.  That the verbal update with regard to the Government’s Committee on Standards in Public Life’s recently published report and recommendations on ethical standards in local government, following a year-long review and wide consultation, be noted; and

ii.  that that  a further report be brought to the Standards Committee in July 2019 detailing a full evaluation of the  findings and recommendations, and the implications for the LB Hackney and covering the main headline issues arising from the review as follows:

·  a new power for local authorities to suspend councillors without allowances for up to six months

·  revised rules on declaring interests, gifts and hospitality

·  local authorities retain ownership of their own Codes of Conduct

·  a right of appeal for suspended councillors to the Local Government Ombudsman

·  a strengthened role for the Independent Person

·  greater transparency about the number and nature of Code complaints.