Agenda item

Inaccordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, the following motions are to be considered:

Motion 1 - Code of Conduct

Motion 2 - Union Flag to be flown permanently at Castle House

Motion One – Code of Conduct

In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor P Taylor moved and Councillor S Forde seconded a motion to the following effect:

“Newark & Sherwood District Council welcomes the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct which the Government intends to legislate for a whole system of reform of the current Code of Conduct and sanctions regime as set out in the Localism Act 2011.

The measures will include:

·           the introduction of a mandatory code of conduct, which will include a behavioural code, for all local authority types and tiers.

·           a requirement that all principal authorities convene formal standards committees, to include provisions on the constitution of standards committees to ensure objectivity, accountability and transparency.

·           the requirement that all principal authorities offer individual support during any investigation into code of conduct allegations to both the complainant and the councillor subject to the allegation.

·           the introduction at the authority level of a ‘right for review’ for both complainant and the subject elected member to have the case reassessed on grounds that will be set out in legislation.

·           powers for authorities to suspend elected members for a maximum of 6 months for serious code of conduct breaches, with the option to withhold allowances during suspension for the most serious breaches and introduce premises and facilities bans either in addition or as standalone sanctions.

·           in response to the most serious allegations involving police investigation, or where sentencing is pending, the introduction of powers to suspend elected members on an interim basis for an initial period of 3 months which, if extended, will require regular review.

·           a new disqualification criterion for any elected member subject to the maximum period of suspension more than once within 5 years.

·           the creation of a new national appeals function, to consider appeals from elected members to decisions to suspend them and/or withhold allowances, and for complainants if they consider their complaint was mishandled. Any appeal submitted will only be permitted after complainant or elected member has invoked their ‘right for review’ of the local standards committee decision has been invoked and that process is completed”.

The motion, on being put to the vote, was agreed unanimously.

Motion Two – Union Flag to be Flown Permanently at Castle House

In accordance with Rule No. 3.4.3, Councillor P Peacock moved and Councillor S Crosby seconded an altered motion (in accordance with Rule 4.7.1) to the following effect:

“Newark & Sherwood District Council is committed to promoting unity, compassion and trust in authority and agree the following:

1.        The Council believes that the Union Flag is a symbol of Pride in Place and symbolises the British values of tolerance, community cohesion, decency and fairness.

2.        The Council agrees that the Union Flag should be flown at Castle House every day except on certain occasions when other flags may be flown.

3.        By flying the Union Flag at Castle House, the Council is declaring Castle House as a place of sanctuary, safety and security for all communities.

4.        The Council notes that the Leader of this Council wrote to the Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council on 20 November 2025 to express his disappointment that Nottinghamshire County Council has cut funding for community and voluntary organisations such as Your CVS, Citizens Advice Central Nottinghamshire and Rural Community Action Nottinghamshire, instead, spending £75,000 to attach union flags to lampposts.

5.        That the Council’s flag will be flown at Castle House below the Union Flag”.

The altered motion, on being put to the vote, was agreed with 34 votes for with 1 vote against.