Newham Council's Standards Advisory Committee convened on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, to discuss a proposal that could see the committee comprised entirely of co-optees, non-elected independent members. The meeting also addressed remote attendance and proxy voting in local authorities, an update on the council's ethical framework, and the committee's work programme for the coming year.

The committee considered a report examining the possibility of a Standards Committee composed solely of co-optees. While the report acknowledged that it is legally possible with a unanimous vote from the full council, it also highlighted that such a composition is highly unusual. The report stated that having elected members on a Council's Standards Committee is considered important both in terms of democratic legitimacy and effective governance. Officers were unable to find examples of councils operating a Standards Committee comprised solely of co-optees.

The committee also discussed the outcome of the government's consultation on remote attendance and proxy voting in local authorities. The consultation, which received 5,844 responses, sought views on the practical implications of allowing remote attendance and proxy voting at local authority meetings. A significant majority (86%) of respondents agreed with the broad principle of granting local authorities powers to allow remote attendance at formal meetings. However, views were more mixed on proxy voting, with 47% of respondents opposed to its introduction and 36% in favour.

An update on the council's ethical framework was also presented, including declarations of interests made at meetings by the Mayor and Councillors between 11 April 2025 and 6 June 2025. Councillor Miraj Patel declared a non-pecuniary interest at a cabinet meeting on 6 May 2025 in relation to a food waste service and the East London Joint Waste Plan, because of their role as Chair of East London Waste Authority. The Ethical Framework Update also noted that there have been no declarations of gifts and hospitality declared for the same period.

The committee is scheduled to hold four meetings during the year, according to the proposed work programme for the 2025/2026 municipal year.