Agenda and minutes

To elect one of the Independent Members as Chair for the meeting.

The Town Clerk sought nominations for the position of Chair.  Councillor Draycott proposed, seconded by Councillor Coley that Ms Jill Bellingham be elected Chair for this meeting.

RESOLVED:

that Ms. Jill Bellingham chair this meeting, the Chair to alternate between meetings between the two Independent Members.

Members are asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applies to them.

Members were requested to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed and/or indicate that Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 applied to them.

No declarations were made.

The Committee is asked to note its membership as detailed on the front of the agenda.

RESOLVED:

that the membership of the Committee, as detailed on the agenda be noted.

The Committee is asked to note its terms of reference as follows:-

1.         To determine the arrangements to be made by the Council to promote probity and maintain the highest standards in the conduct of business by members and officers.

2.         To ensure the implementation of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

3.         To advise on the adoption or revision of the Council’s Code of Conduct, monitor its operation and advise Members on matters relating to the code, including actions designed to prevent infringement of the Code.

4.         To ensure the provision of appropriate training for Members to enable them to adhere at all times to the provisions of the Code.

5.         To consider any matters referred back to the Council by the National Standards Board following investigation by an ethical standards officer.

6.         To consider matters relating to the conduct of Members which are not matters within the remit of the National Standards Board, but which the Town Clerk has been otherwise unable to resolve.

MATTERS RESERVED TO THE STANDARDS SUB-COMMITTEE

1.         All relevant matters reserved for Member level decision as detailed in Standing Orders.

2.         Policy developments of strategic significance, relating to the Committee’s Terms of Reference.

3.         Such other matters as the Committee may from time to time reserve to itself for decision.

All matters within the Terms of Reference of the Standards Committee which are not reserved to full Council, or to the Committee as stated above are delegated to the Town Clerk and Director of Corporate Resources.

RESOLVED:

that the Committee's Terms of Reference, be noted.

The Town Clerk and Director of Corporate Resources submits a report advising members of the current position regarding the further development of ethical standards within local government and the programme of implementation within the City Council. The Standards Committee is asked to note the report.

The Town Clerk submitted a report informing the Committee of the current position regarding the development of new ethical standards within local government and the programme of implementation within the City Council.

RESOLVED:

that the report be noted.

The Town Clerk and Director of Corporate Resources submits a report seeking approval of the procedure for dealing with complaints against Councillors. The procedure is attached and is supported by the Group Whips.

The Town Clerk submitted a report seeking approval to a procedure for dealing with complaints against Councillors.  It was noted that this procedure also applied to co-opted and Independent Members.

The following amendments were proposed.

Paragraph 7

It was considered that this should be amended to provide that the Town Clerk should consult the Group Whips and the Chair of the Committee on how he should respond to complaints.

Paragraph 8(1)

It was also agreed that decisions taken by the Town Clerk, as referred to above, should be reported back to the Committee on a six monthly basis in the form of a statistical pattern of complaints rather than detailing individual cases.

Paragraphs 9, 10 and 11

It was agreed that there should be consistency in how time frames were referred to i.e. either in weeks or working days.

Paragraph 12

It was agreed that the complainant should also be entitled to be accompanied.

Paragraph 15(5)

It was agreed that the decisions with reasons should be sent to all parties involved.

General

a)            Agreed there should be reference to a timescale within which complaints should be settled.

b)            Agreed that a note be prepared for Whips giving guidance to 'limits' of types of complaints that should be referred to Committee, to be submitted for consideration at the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED:

that, subject to the above amendments, the procedure for dealing with complaints against Councillors, be agreed.

RESOLVED:

that the Committee meet on the future dates at 5.30pm:-

Wednesday 12 September 2001

Wednesday 7 November 2001

Wednesday 9 January 2002

Wednesday 13 March 2002

The meeting ended at 6.15pm.