Agenda and decisions

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd April 2026.

RESOLVED

that the minutes of the previous meeting on 23^rd April 2026 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

Information pertaining to the Members' Code of Conduct and guidance relating to declaring interests can be found on the following webpage: Teignbridge District Council – Councillor Conduct

To review the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Annual Letter 2025/2026 to Teignbridge District Council.

RESOLVED

To accept the report.

To provide Members with an opportunity to review the Code of Conduct complaints process and arrangements for dealing with standards complaints guidance.

RESOLVED

To accept the report.

To update Councillors on the Councillor Code of Conduct complaints received.

RESOLVED

To accept the report and the contents within.

To review the Member Development Strategy.

RESOLVED

To add mandatory safeguarding training to the annual programme of training.

To review the Member Training and Briefing log from April – June 2026.

RESOLVED

To accept the report.

As recommended by Annual Council on Tuesday 19^th May 2026:

The Monitoring Officer report to the Governance Committee on the adoption by the Council of the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign and in particular the Ending Abuse in Public Life Council Self-Assessment toolkit as a means of creating a culture of safety and respect for members within and without the Council Chamber.

RESOLVED

The Governance Committee RECOMMENDS that Full Council:

(a)  Adopt the Local Government Association ‘Debate not Hate’ campaign and sign up to the ‘Debate not Hate’ public statement available on the Local Government Association website.

(b)  In doing so, makes a clear public statement that the Council is adopting a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, intimidation, and harassment of Members and Officers.

(c)   Asks for Officers to share the appropriate ‘Debate not Hate’ resources with all Councillors.

(d)  Agrees for the Chair of the Council, on behalf of the Council, to write to the local Members of Parliament and the Police on the Council’s adoption of the campaign.

(e)  Agrees that the Council continues to engage with the Police and Operation Ford, ensuring that Councillors are aware of the reporting mechanisms available to report abuse and intimidation.

(f)    Asks the Governance Committee report annually on the adoption of the campaign and review the safety of Councillors.

As recommended by Annual Council on Tuesday 19^th May 2026:

The Monitoring Officer and Head of Paid Service report jointly to the Governance Committee on a revised member – officer protocol to include clear guidance on:

·       Members’ rights to accessing Council information;

·       Member visits to officer working areas

Noting that Annual Council on Tuesday 19^th May 2026 agreed a revised Member Officer Protocol at the meeting (Agenda Item 7c - Agenda for Full Council on Tuesday, 19th May 2026).

RESOLVED

To recognise the revised Member-Officer Protocol agreed by Full Council on 19^th May 2026.

For information, to update Members on the work of the Constitution Review Working Group. The Working Group’s final meeting was on 30^th April 2026.

RECOMMENDED that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting of the particular item(s) on the grounds that it involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

RESOLVED

that, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting of the particular item(s) on the grounds that it involve(s) the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act.

Report of the Independent Investigator and Governance Committee determination of Code of Conduct Complaint (FS-CASE-694000403).

RESOLVED

That no further action is to be taken.