Agenda and minutes

In accordance with the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services which was admitted late to the agenda in order that the recruitment process for Independent Members to serve from May 2010 could commence as early as possible.

An officer explained that, further to the preparation of the report, discussions had taken place with each of the Leaders of the main political groups, for their nominations to the proposed Selection Panel.  These had been obtained and reported accordingly.

Resolved to RECOMMEND: (to Council)

That (1) four Independent Members be appointed to serve on the Standards Committee for four years from May 2010, and one Independent Member be appointed to act only (a) in the event that any of the Independent Members resigns or is unable to continue before the expiry of their term of office and (b) as and when appointed by Council;

(2)  a Selection Panel comprising four Members of Council (two Conservative; one Labour; one Liberal Democrat) be established by the Standards Committee for the purposes of recruiting the Independent Members of the Standards Committee from May 2010, and that the proposed terms of reference of the Panel be agreed;

(3)  the membership and Chairman of the Panel be appointed, subject to the approval of resolution (2) above by Council, as follows:

The Chairman requested that the Committee stand and observe a moment’s silence in memory of Councillor Asad Omar’s wife who had passed away since the last meeting.

To note the attendance at this meeting of any duly appointed Reserve Members.

Reserve Members may attend meetings:-

(i)                 to take the place of an ordinary Member for whom they are a reserve;

(ii)               where the ordinary Member will be absent for the whole of the meeting; and

(iii)             the meeting notes at the start of the meeting at the item ‘Reserves’ that the Reserve Member is or will be attending as a reserve;

(iv)              if a Reserve Member whose intention to attend has been noted arrives after the commencement of the meeting, then that Reserve Member can only act as a Member from the start of the next item of business on the agenda after his/her arrival.

RESOLVED:  To note the attendance at this meeting of the following duly appointed Reserve Members:-

To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:

(a)               all Members of the Committee, Sub Committee, Panel or Forum;

(b)               all other Members present in any part of the room or chamber.

RESOLVED:  To note that the following interests were declared:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2009 be taken as read and signed as a correct record.

To receive questions (if any) from local residents or organisations under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rule 19 (Part 4B of the Constitution).

RESOLVED:  To note that no public questions were put, or petitions or deputations received at this meeting under the provisions of Committee Procedure Rules 19, 16 and 17 respectively.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services which highlighted changes made by the Standards Committee (Further Provisions) (England) Regulations 2009.  An officer explained the key changes made by the regulations.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services which set out the current local standards framework and set out proposed options for consideration by the Committee.  An officer explained that the report was prepared as a response to previous concerns raised by the Committee as to how and when Members were informed of a complaint against them.  The officer explained that they had conducted research and studied guidance provided by Standards for England (SfE).  As a result officers had highlighted two main options proposed in relation to how and when Members were informed about complaints and decisions.  During the discussion, Members raised a number of issues and queries which were discussed.

The Chairman summarised the position of the Committee and explained that the Committee would advocate for respondents to be told about decisions only initially via a telephone call from the Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer to communicate the decision only.  It was stressed that only the decision should be communicated.  This would then be followed up with a letter detailing the decision taken.  In addition Members would be informed of complaints after the meeting of an Assessment Sub Committee.  In addition the process should be reviewed in two years time, to allow for a period of implementation to be established in light of the forthcoming elections.

RESOLVED:  That (1) Members be informed of complaints made against them after a meeting of the relevant Assessment Sub Committeee;

(2)  Members be informed of the decision of the Assessment Sub Committee initially via a telephone call from the Monitoring Officer or Deputy Monitoring Officer, followed up by a formal letter;

(3)  the process be reviewed in two years’ time.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

The Committee received a report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services which set out a summary of the project on Ethical Governance to be carried out by the Audit Commission.  An officer identified the costs, the scope, objectives and the audit approach for the project.

A Member commented that one of the reasons for conducting this project was that a Use of Resources Assessment had identified the need for an Ethical Governance Framework review.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

(See Recommendation I).

Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services.

An officer explained to the Committee that since the preparation of the report, all outstanding register of interest forms had been completed and returned.

A Member suggested that the importance of completing and updating the forms be communicated during the Member Induction Programme.

RESOLVED: That no further action be taken.