Independent Member of Standards Committee

Job Description
LONDON BOROUGH OF NEWHAM

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS

Newham Council currently has four vacancies for Independent Members of the Standards Committee. This is a statutory Committee which plays a crucial role in maintaining high ethical standards and good conduct of members.

Independent Members are appointed for a fixed term of four years. The position is voluntary; however, an annual allowance of £579 (or £1390 if subsequently elected Chair) will be paid for time, travel and subsistence.. The commitment includes a willingness to attend approximately 4 evening meetings per annum, plus ad hoc sub committees as required.

Purpose of the Role

To bring an independent perspective to the Standards Committee, fostering inclusivity, accountability, and innovation to advance the interests of the Committee and its members.

Key Responsibilities

• Ability to act independently, bringing impartiality to discussions.
• Ability to potentially chair Committee meetings effectively, ensuring productive discussion, clear decision making within the Committees Terms of Reference.
• Work collaboratively with other Committee Members and Council Officers
• Act as an independent voice, bringing objectivity and impartiality to Committee discussions and decisions
• Strong commitment to upholding good governance.
• Communication and Relationship Building
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Sufficient time and flexibility to fulfil the responsibilities of the role, including committee meetings and additional engagements as required
• Support the Council’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, ensuring these principles are embedded in all activities

Personal Attributes

• Integrity, impartiality, and the ability to build trust
• The ability to deal with confidential and sensitive matters
• A collaborative and inclusive leadership style
• Resilience and the ability to manage complex or challenging situations.
• Respect for others with an understanding and a keen regard for strong ethical values

The Committee will receive nominations to elect a Chair and Vice Chair. Therefore, the ability to ensure meetings run effectively and inclusively in line with an agreed agenda would also be desirable.

A detailed knowledge of local government is not necessary, although it would be an advantage if potential candidates were interested in matters relating to public life. Whilst we would particularly welcome and prefer applicants to have a local connection to the borough, we would encourage any applicant with a keen interest in local democracy to apply.

You cannot become an independent member of Newham’s Standards Committee if you:

• have been a member or employee of Newham Council in the last 5 years
• are a relative or close friend of a member or employee of the Council
• have a criminal conviction which is not spent

For more information, please contact [email protected]

Please view JD here

Closing date: 16th August 2025

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

We practice anonymised recruitment. Please ensure that you remove all personal information from any documents that you upload.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn .