Council Standards Committee seeks independent members
A COMMITTEE that helps to maintain high ethical standards at Durham County Council and town and parish councils across the county is seeking two new members.
Applications are now open for two Independent Person posts on the council’s Standard’s Committee. The role of independent members is to support the council’s monitoring officer and the Standards Committee in their work to uphold the standards of conduct required of members in carrying out their duties.
They may be consulted by the monitoring officer when complaints are being considered against councillors or co-opted members. They may also be consulted by any councillor who is the subject of a complaint.
The Standards Committee must seek the views of the independent members before it takes a decision on a complaint against a councillor who is being investigated and any proposal to dismiss one of the council’s statutory officers. Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate a keen interest in standards in public life, have a desire to serve the local community and uphold democracy, and have high standards of personal integrity.
They will also be able to be objective, independent and impartial, and will have experience of upholding standards and/or dealing with complaints and customer care issues. The positions are fixed for two years from the date of appointment, with those chosen for the role expected to attend at least two meetings of the Standards Committee a year and be available by telephone and email for consultation on complaints.
A full induction and training will be given, and, while the roles are voluntary and unpaid, travel expenses can be claimed for attending meetings and training.
More information on the work of the Standards Committee can be found at www.durham.gov.uk/ethicalstandards
To find out more about the post and to request an application form, contact Lucy Gladders, senior committee services officer, by calling 03000 269 712 or emailing
To ensure the independence of the role, anyone who is or has been a member, co-opted member or officer of Durham County Council, or a town or parish council within County Durham is not eligible to apply. The same applies to anyone who is a relative or close friend of any member or officer of the county council or a town or parish council.
The closing date for applications is 1 August 2025.
