The Lord Mayor, Councillor Roger Blackmore, has been invited to the meeting to discuss issues of standards and ethics within the Council and Full Council meetings.
Minutes:
The Chair agreed that this item be taken in conjunction with Item 8 ‘Ethical Governance Audit Report – Audit Commission’.
The Chair explained that the Lord Mayor had been invited to the meeting to ask questions of and raise issues to the committee and for members to enquire how the Lord Mayor could assist the work of the committee, particularly in terms of the ethics agenda.
The Lord Mayor stated that one of his primary roles within Full Council meetings was to manage the conduct of Elected Members. He felt that the general level of behaviour within the chamber was good though referred to occasions where had to remind members that particular standards were not being adhered to. He stated that it was imperative to try to be aware of any potential trouble before it occurred, and to liaise with the Director, Democratic Services around any sensitive or awkward issues.
The Lord Mayor also informed the Committee that he had a degree of responsibility for all Members and was expected to encourage all Councillors to engage with particular projects. He stated that there was perhaps a tendency for non-executive members to feel relatively powerless, and that it was his role to promote a sense of inclusion within the chamber. Furthermore, it often transpired that the Lord Mayor provided assistance particularly to new Members. In respect of these points, a Member of the Committee reported that it was easier for Members to play a fuller role within the political system under the old Committee and Sub-Committee model, where Members had a greater chance to Chair meetings, and that this provision was to a lesser degree under the current system.
Members of the Committee welcomed the efforts outlined by the Lord Mayor in relation to attempting to maintain standards during Full Council meetings. The Chair welcomed any form of early intervention that would prevent a breach of the Code of Conduct, which would consequently lead to an investigation.
The Lord Mayor was of the view that most Members of the Public were not directly aware of the role of the Standards Committee and that there was a strong need to raise awareness of how it operated. He also felt that it was important to make the differences between elected members and Members of Parliament publicly clear. Members agreed that it was essential to raise the profile of the Committee and that as part of this, a greater amount of information in relation to standards should be provided on the Council’s internet site.
Members asked whether the Lord Mayor thought it would be feasible to tailor training around standards to directly address the individual needs of Members. The Lord Mayor felt that this would be extremely difficult to implement, and was of the view that training needed to encompass more than the code of conduct and that it was generally difficult to train Members around the subject of ethics. He did feel that it was also vital to develop an ethical standards framework for officers as well as Members.
RESOLVED:
That the Lord Mayor be thanked for attending the meeting to discuss standards and ethics with the Council and Full Council meetings.