A COMMITTEE set up to keep an eye on the activities of councillors in North Yorkshire has released its first annual report.

The county council's standards committee monitors councillors and advise members on the Code of Conduct, which every councillor has signed up to.

The committee was also formed to ensure that council members declare any interests they may have when making decisions.

There have been two complaints against members of the county council since the code of conduct was introduced.

The Standards Board for England, an independent body set up to investigate complaints, found no breach with the first and the second is under review.

Standards committee chairman James Daglish said: "I think it has been a year of good progress for the standards committee. Members are signed up to the Code of Conduct and the Register of Interests, which are available for public scrutiny.

"Future tasks need to be focused on strengthening public confidence in local democracy."