Southwark Council has appointed two new independent persons to advise on matters of councillor conduct. The appointments were confirmed during a Council Assembly meeting held on Wednesday, March 18, 2026.
These individuals will serve a three-year term, providing an impartial perspective on allegations or complaints concerning the conduct of councillors. Their role is to advise on whether a councillor has failed to comply with the code of conduct. They may also be consulted by the council's monitoring officer in other circumstances regarding allegations against a member.
This measure is a statutory requirement under the Localism Act 2011, aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability in local government. The appointment process for these roles was described as open and transparent, requiring approval by a majority of council members. Candidates could not be current or past members within the last five years, nor close friends or relatives of such individuals. A selection panel interviewed candidates and made recommendations based on these criteria.
The independent persons will be consulted by the council's monitoring officer and the Audit, Governance and Standards Committee (or its sub-committees) when considering allegations against councillors. Their views will be considered by these committees when determining the outcome of complaints and any remedial action.
This appointment process is designed to uphold the council's commitment to ethical standards and to provide an independent layer of scrutiny in the handling of councillor conduct matters. The full details of the appointment process can be found in the Appointment of independent persons
document.
