BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council will be able to set its own rules for disciplining unruly members under new changes coming into force later this year.

As part of the Government’s flagship Localism Bill, which was given Royal assent in November, the existing Standards Board regime, which dictates the code of conduct that all councillors must adhere to, is to be abolished.

This will free up each local authority to put in place its own set of rules.

The current standards regime in the borough costs the taxpayer thousands of pounds each year, with members who are accused of breaking the code of conduct appearing before a committee before facing a possible hearing.

In some cases, this will involve an independent barrister being hired to consider any evidence. This can lead to disciplinary action, including being censured or forced to make a written apology.

The most high-profile case in recent years was that of former Hatch Warren and Beggarwood councillor, and former borough deputy mayor, Phil Heath, who faced four separate misconduct allegations in a series of hearings that cost the taxpayer in excess of £10,000.

These complaints – two of which were upheld and two of which were dismissed – were lodged by council chief executive Tony Curtis, Conservative councillors Stephen Reid and Robert Taylor, as well as two council officers.

Mr Heath believes the council “could not be trusted” to run its own standards regime, and called for the whole process to be abolished.

He told The Gazette: “Councillors are not superhuman, mythical beings. They are normal people who can get angry and annoyed like everybody else.

“I think there are adequate protections in place with the ballot box, the public and the law, and the council should not waste another penny on standards.”

A report to the council’s standards committee, written by Chris Guy, head of legal and democratic services, said the new regime is expected to come into place in July.

Mr Guy has recommended that complaints made by one councillor against another could be dealt with more informally than at present, involving discussions between group leaders, the mayor or chief executive.

The report is set to be considered by the standards committee today.

A new system will then be drawn up by officers and brought before the committee for consideration.