Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations by Members of interests in respect of items on this Agenda. 

Members are reminded that, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011, they are required to declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which have not already been declared in the Council’s Register of Interests. (It is a criminal offence not to declare a disclosable pecuniary interest either in the Register or at the meeting). 

Whilst not a legal requirement, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 9 and in the interests of clarity and transparency, Members should declare any disclosable pecuniary interests which they have already declared in the Register, at this point in the meeting. 

In accordance with Part B Section 2 of the Code Of Conduct, Members are required to declare the existence and nature of any other interests as defined in paragraphs 8(1) or 9(2) of the Code of Conduct. 

The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised the meeting that if any of the Standards Committee were associates or close friends of the complainant it would not be appropriate for them to take part in the discussions. 

Councillor Yates informed the meeting that whilst he had met the complainant he did not regard him as either a friend or a business acquaintance and he did not consider this a conflict of interest.

Councillor Barry sought clarification because as a former Cabinet member he had  been mentioned in the background papers.  The Deputy Monitoring Officer confirmed that as the Committee was meeting purely to agree a response to the complaint it was not necessary for him to leave the meeting.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendations in relation to the following items:-

“That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item(s) have been marked as exempt, it is for Committee itself to decide whether or not to consider each of them in private or in public. In making the decision, Members should consider the relevant paragraph of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, and also whether the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.  In considering their discretion Members should also be mindful of the advice of Council Officers. 

That, in accordance with Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item(s) of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraphs 1 & 2 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

(Report of Monitoring Officer) – Report to follow

The Deputy Monitoring Officer introduced the report and explained that the Standards Committee had been convened to agree a response to a complaint that had been addressed to the Standards Committee from a member of the public. 

The Deputy Monitoring Officer confirmed the role of the Standards Committee was to consider complaints made against elected Members and, as the complaint had been made against Officers, the Committee had no remit to consider the complaint. 

The Committee discussed and agreed to the wording of a response that the Chairman would forward to the complainant. 

Further details and the wording of the response are set out in a minute exempt from publication by virtue of Paragraphs 1 & 2 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved:

(1)  That the Chairman forward the agreed response, as set out in the exempt minute, to the complainant.