Agenda and minutes

In the event the fire alarm sounds attendees will be advised to evacuate the building via the nearest fire exit and assemble at the Bottle of Notes opposite MIMA.

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting, introductions were made and the Fire Evacuation Procedure explained.

To receive any declarations of interest.

There were no declarations of interest received at this point of the meeting.

The minutes of the Standards Committee meeting held on 14 July 2025 were submitted and approved as a correct record.

The Head of Legal Services (People) presented the Quarterly Update Report.  The report provided a quarterly update to the Standards Committee regarding the current position concerning Code of Conduct Complaints, and to identify any trends or patterns in regards to the type of complaints received.

Members were advised that there were currently 5 ongoing complaints as of 1 October 2025, the 5 complaints are from the current year and there was no outstanding complaints from previous years.

Of the 5 outstanding complaints, 3 were received in March 2025 and were awaiting the outcome of an investigation or other external processes before they can continue.  In essence they are ‘stayed’ by the Local Authority.

The other 2 outstanding complaints received in August and September 2025 had been considered by the Independent Person and were being progressed in accordance with the code of conduct procedure.

Members were asked to note that 11 complaints, which related to 4 Councillors had been concluded since the last update.  These complaints had been resolved by way of informal resolution, some further to an investigation, and some did not require an investigation.  In some cases, informal resolution was considered the most appropriate, simplest and cost-effective way of resolving a complaint.

Members heard that the most prevalent theme of complaints continued to be inappropriate use of social media.  Of the 26 complaints received to date in 2025 almost have of them had an element of alleged inappropriate social media use.  The theme of complaints would continue to be monitored to consider what additional support was required.

A suggestion had been received from Councillor Morrish of including a column for those complaints that were with outside bodies, Members agreed that this would be a useful addition going forward.

Members were advised that an external training provided had completed training on standards/code of conduct in particular use of social media on 12 September 2025.  The training was open to all Members and Nunthorpe Parish Council and Stainton and Thornton Parish Council.  The session was completed online out of 47 Council Members only 12 attended.

In respect of the appointment of a permanent Governance Solicitor to assist and support in standards matters Members were advised that following a successful growth bid, this post was advertised though no applications were received.  The post would therefore be advertised again in due course.

Members commented that the number of Councillors who attended the Standards/Code of Conduct training was disappointing. 

A Member queried if the training could be made mandatory it was advised that it was difficult to mandate Members to attend training due to lack of sanctions if a Member did not attend.  It was also queried if the training could be run again it was advised that due to the cost of providing external training this session would not be run again however the Head of Legal Services (People) could provide internal training to Members.

A Member suggested recording training sessions, it had been advised previously that this could cause problems with GDPR,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 25/10

The Standards Committee were asked to determine a request from Councillor David Coupe for a dispensation to allow him to continue to attend and participate in the Teesside Pension Fund Committee notwithstanding his Disclosable Pecuniary Interest arising from his appointment as a Non-Executive Director of Border to Coast Pensions Partnerships Ltd.

Members were advised that a dispensation in this regard had previously been granted by the Standards Committee at a meeting on 17 October 2022.  This dispensation was granted for three years and therefore expired on 17 October 2025.  Members were advised that due to internal processes at Border to Coast Councillor Coupe’s three-year tenure between 2025-2028 was being split between a one-year and two-year term.

The Standards Committee were being asked to consider the decision as per Section 2(j) of their terms of reference which confirms that they are responsible for ‘granting dispensations to Members, Co-opted members and Parish Councillors and the Mayor from the requirements relating to declarations of interest’.

The Standards Committee agreed to granting the dispensation as follows:

·        This dispensation is for a period of three years, or for so long as Councillor David Coupe is a Non-Executive Director of Border to Coast Pensions Partnership Limited (‘the company’) whichever is the shorter.

·        Councillor David Coupe should be allowed to participate, or participate further, in any discussion of any matter concerning the Company at the meetings of the Teesside Pension Fund.

·        Councillor David Coupe can participate in any vote, or further vote, taken on the matter at the said meeting(s) PROVIDED THAT he shall not participate in any discussion or vote where changes to the renumeration of Directors of the Company are discussed.

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