Standards Committee

The Standards Committee advises Councillors on the code of conduct and is composed of:

• Three Councillors (one from each political group on the Council) other than the group leaders;
• Five independent members;
• A Parish Councillor, who represents all the Parish Councils in the area 
• Independent members are entitled to vote at meetings;
• At least one parish member must be present when matters relating to those parish councils or their members are being considered;
• The Chairman and Vice-Chairman have to be independent members; 
• There must always be a majority of lay members present in order for the committee meeting to take place.

The membership of the Standards Committee is:

Independent Members: Michael Baker,  Nigel Gates,  Valerie Kleanthous,  Brian Sainsbury,  Malcolm Sniders

Councillors: Tony Barton,  Paul Goggins,  Ron Spellen

Parish Council's Representative: Parish Councillor John Gell (Sarratt Parish Council)


The Standards Board for England is responsible for promoting high ethical standards and investigating allegations that members' behaviour may have fallen short of the required standards.