Basingstoke & Dean Borough Council
Councillors:
54
Wards:
18
Committees:
23
Meetings (2026):
68
Meetings (2025):
75
Meeting
Standards Committee - Basingstoke & Dean
Meeting Times
Scheduled Time
Start:
Monday, 16th March 2026
6:30 PM
Monday, 16th March 2026
6:30 PM
End:
Monday, 16th March 2026
9:30 PM
Monday, 16th March 2026
9:30 PM
Meeting Status
Status:
Confirmed
Confirmed
Date:
16 Mar 2026
16 Mar 2026
Location:
Council Chamber - Deanes
Council Chamber - Deanes
Webcast:
Available
Available
Meeting Attendees
Chair
Ms A Povey (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ms A Lewis (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ms S Goddard (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Mrs L Agnew (Parish Councillor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Mr M Slatford (Parish Councillor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Mr I Elkins (Parish Councillor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Ms F Maritan-Hawkins (Parish Councillor)
Present, as expected
Vice-Chair
Vice-Chair of the Resident Services Committee
Committee Member
Committee Member
Ms K McManus (Independent Standards Assessor)
Present, as expected
Committee Member
Reserve
Chair of the Audit and Accounts Committee
Councillor Paul Basham
Not required
Agenda
0
Review of Work Programme
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer confirmed that a review of the Council’s Code of Conduct training would be presented at the next meeting in September 2026 alongside any updates on the government consultation on strengthening the standards framework for local authorities and on local government reorganisation.
It was also stated that a report on the recruitment of two Independent Persons and one Independent Standards Assessor would be brought to the March 2027 meeting.
It was also stated that a report on the recruitment of two Independent Persons and one Independent Standards Assessor would be brought to the March 2027 meeting.
1
Apologies for absence and substitutions
Minutes
There were no apologies for absence.
Ms L Agnew arrived at 6.31pm and Mr I Elkins arrived at 6.35pm.
At the start of the meeting, a tribute was paid to Verity Murricane, former Chair of the Standards Committee for two terms, who had passed away.
Ms L Agnew arrived at 6.31pm and Mr I Elkins arrived at 6.35pm.
At the start of the meeting, a tribute was paid to Verity Murricane, former Chair of the Standards Committee for two terms, who had passed away.
2
Declarations of interest
Minutes
Ms A Povey (Independent Standards Assessor and Chair) and Ms S Goddard (Independent Standards Assessor) declared an interest in Item 7- Extension of terms of Independent Standards Assessors as it related to the extension of their terms and stood down from the Committee for that item.
3
Urgent matters
To consider any items of business, other than those shown on this agenda and which, by reason of special circumstances to be stated at the meeting, in the opinion of the Chairman, should be considered at the meeting as a matter of urgency.
Minutes
There were no urgent matters.
4
Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2025
The Chair will move that the minutes of the meeting be signed as a correct record. The only part of the minutes that can be discussed is their accuracy.
Attachments:
- Document Minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2025 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2025 were approved by the Committee as an accurate record and signed by the Chair.
5
Draft Annual Report
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report seeks the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report.
This report seeks the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix 1 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which sought the Committee’s approval to its Annual Report and recommend presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
The Monitoring Officer informed the Committee that typographical amendments and updated information would need to be included in the final version to be presented to Council.
It was stated that that five of the 42 parish councils had not adopted the Local Government Association Model Code of Conduct, and a suggestion was made to promote its adoption to the respective Parish Councils.
Resolved: The Committee:
1. Approves, the Annual Report for publication.
2. Recommends presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
The Monitoring Officer informed the Committee that typographical amendments and updated information would need to be included in the final version to be presented to Council.
It was stated that that five of the 42 parish councils had not adopted the Local Government Association Model Code of Conduct, and a suggestion was made to promote its adoption to the respective Parish Councils.
Resolved: The Committee:
1. Approves, the Annual Report for publication.
2. Recommends presentation of the Annual Report to Council for consideration.
6
Complaints Report
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report seeks to update the Committee on progress in determining Code of Conduct complaints received against borough, parish and town councillors.
This report seeks to update the Committee on progress in determining Code of Conduct complaints received against borough, parish and town councillors.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix 1 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which updated the Committee on progress received in determining Code of Conduct complaints received against Borough, Parish and Town Councillors.
The Monitoring Officer informed the Committee that 14 new complaints had been received since the last meeting on 15 September 2025 including an additional complaint received after publication of the report. The Committee was also advised that 17 complaints had been concluded, 6 remained ongoing and 2 outstanding complaints remained under investigation by an external investigator.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
· Further context was sought regarding complaint number 058249, and it was clarified that two complaints related to the same matter.
· Questioned the absence of a public statement on the complaints under external investigation. The Monitoring Officer advised that the matters remained under investigation, and it would not be appropriate for statements to be made.
· A comment was made regarding the practice of considering anonymous complaints. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the proposed amendments to dealing with complaints against councillors included a requirement for complainants to provide a home or residential address.
Resolved: The Committee note the progress made on complaints received and the learning derived from the consideration of complaints.
The Monitoring Officer informed the Committee that 14 new complaints had been received since the last meeting on 15 September 2025 including an additional complaint received after publication of the report. The Committee was also advised that 17 complaints had been concluded, 6 remained ongoing and 2 outstanding complaints remained under investigation by an external investigator.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
· Further context was sought regarding complaint number 058249, and it was clarified that two complaints related to the same matter.
· Questioned the absence of a public statement on the complaints under external investigation. The Monitoring Officer advised that the matters remained under investigation, and it would not be appropriate for statements to be made.
· A comment was made regarding the practice of considering anonymous complaints. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the proposed amendments to dealing with complaints against councillors included a requirement for complainants to provide a home or residential address.
Resolved: The Committee note the progress made on complaints received and the learning derived from the consideration of complaints.
7
Extension of terms of Independent Standards Assessors
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
In May 2024 Council approved the appointments of Amanda Povey and Sylvia Goddard Independent Standards Assessors for the purposes of Councillor Code of Conduct complaints for two years with a two-year period of extension if required. It is requested that Committee recommend to Council that the appointments be extended for a further period of two years.
In May 2024 Council approved the appointments of Amanda Povey and Sylvia Goddard Independent Standards Assessors for the purposes of Councillor Code of Conduct complaints for two years with a two-year period of extension if required. It is requested that Committee recommend to Council that the appointments be extended for a further period of two years.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which sought the Committee’s recommendation to Council for a two?year extension to the appointments of Amanda Povey and Sylvia Goddard as Independent Standards Assessors and co?opted members of the Standards Committee, from 20 May 2026 to 19 May 2028, subject to any decisions made on local government reorganisation.
Resolved: The Committee:
· Recommends to Council the extension the period of appointment of Amanda Povey and Sylvia Goddard as Independent Standards Assessors and co-opted members of the Standards Committee from 20 May 2026 to 19 May 2028 (subject to any decisions made in relation to Local Government Reorganisation).
Resolved: The Committee:
· Recommends to Council the extension the period of appointment of Amanda Povey and Sylvia Goddard as Independent Standards Assessors and co-opted members of the Standards Committee from 20 May 2026 to 19 May 2028 (subject to any decisions made in relation to Local Government Reorganisation).
8
Strengthening the Standards and Conduct framework for local authorities - government response
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report seeks to update the Committee on the Government Response to the consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities.
This report seeks to update the Committee on the Government Response to the consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix 1 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, which updated the Committee on the government response to the consultation on strengthening the standards and conduct framework for local authorities published in November 2025.
The Monitoring Officer explained that the Government had proposed a mandatory Code of Conduct, a requirement for formal Standards Committees, additional support for complainants and councillors and further powers on interim suspensions. It was stated that the proposals were subject to legislation, and the timescale for implementation was not known.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report and receive further updates as the relevant legislation progresses.
The Monitoring Officer explained that the Government had proposed a mandatory Code of Conduct, a requirement for formal Standards Committees, additional support for complainants and councillors and further powers on interim suspensions. It was stated that the proposals were subject to legislation, and the timescale for implementation was not known.
Resolved: The Committee note the contents of the report and receive further updates as the relevant legislation progresses.
9
Review of Code of Conduct for Councillors, Arrangements for dealing with complaints against councillors, Social Media Guidance for Councillors
Contact Officer: Fiona Thomsen
This report requests the Committee to review the Code of Conduct for Councillors, the Arrangements for dealing with complaints against councillors and the Social Media for Guidance and indicate whether the Committee recommends any amendments to the Constitutional Working Group and ultimately to Council for approval.
This report requests the Committee to review the Code of Conduct for Councillors, the Arrangements for dealing with complaints against councillors and the Social Media for Guidance and indicate whether the Committee recommends any amendments to the Constitutional Working Group and ultimately to Council for approval.
Attachments:
- Document Report 04 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix 1 04 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix 2 04 Mar 2026
- Document Appendix 3 04 Mar 2026
Minutes
The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, seeking the Committee’s review of the Code of Conduct, the complaints Arrangements, and the Social Media Guidance. Any recommended amendments would be referred to the Constitutional Working Group and Council for approval.
The Monitoring Officer outlined various amendments as part of the review for the Committee’s consideration as stated in the report.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
· Questioned whether the existing definition of self?referral within the arrangements for dealing with complaints against councillors could be made clearer.
· Highlighted that the social media guidance for councillors should not exclude other forms of communication.
· Noted an error in paragraph 41 of the social media guidance where the word ‘refer’ was missing in relation to referring breaches of the Code of Conduct to the Monitoring Officer.
· Councillors could raise issues of social media abuse directly with the relevant platforms if necessary.
· Requested that the term ‘pornographic material’ in the social media guidance for councillors be replaced with ‘indecent images’.
Resolved: The Committee:
· Confirms there are no revisions required to the Code of Conduct for Councillors in Appendix 1 other than to correct the error in Table 1 of Appendix B.
· Approves and refers the amendments to the Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints against Councillors in Appendix 2 to the Constitutional Working Group and to Council for approval.
· Approves and refers the amendments to the Social Media Guidance for Councillors in Appendix 3 to the Constitutional Working Group and to the Council for approval.
The Monitoring Officer outlined various amendments as part of the review for the Committee’s consideration as stated in the report.
The Committee discussed the report and made the following comments:
· Questioned whether the existing definition of self?referral within the arrangements for dealing with complaints against councillors could be made clearer.
· Highlighted that the social media guidance for councillors should not exclude other forms of communication.
· Noted an error in paragraph 41 of the social media guidance where the word ‘refer’ was missing in relation to referring breaches of the Code of Conduct to the Monitoring Officer.
· Councillors could raise issues of social media abuse directly with the relevant platforms if necessary.
· Requested that the term ‘pornographic material’ in the social media guidance for councillors be replaced with ‘indecent images’.
Resolved: The Committee:
· Confirms there are no revisions required to the Code of Conduct for Councillors in Appendix 1 other than to correct the error in Table 1 of Appendix B.
· Approves and refers the amendments to the Arrangements for Dealing with Complaints against Councillors in Appendix 2 to the Constitutional Working Group and to Council for approval.
· Approves and refers the amendments to the Social Media Guidance for Councillors in Appendix 3 to the Constitutional Working Group and to the Council for approval.
11
Confidential / exempt items for information
Minutes
Previous Meetings
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