Agenda and minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September 2006.  

The minutes of the meeting on 13^th September 2007 were agreed as a true and accurate record. 

It was noted that the proposed training of Parish Councils would be left until after the election.

Report of the Head of Legal and Human Resources/Monitoring Officer. 

The Committee considered the report which set out the government’s draft revised Code of Conduct which was the subject of consultation.

The Chairman outlined that due to several court cases, the publication of the draft revised Code of Conduct had been delayed, and this meant that it was unlikely that the final version would be issued in time for it to be adopted by the Council before the May elections.  Members would therefore be required to sign up to the current Code even though it would shortly be superseded, and would have to receive training both on the existing code and the new code.

With regard to the disclosure of confidential information, it was agreed that it would be helpful for guidance to include information on the capacity of Councillors to challenge the classification of documents as confidential.

With regard to the conduct of Councillors whilst ‘off duty’ it was suggested that it would be helpful for there to be clarification as to whether this was restricted to just criminal issues or wider.

The Committee welcomed the removal of the obligation on Members to report breaches of the Code of Conduct, and also the amendment which would restrict the disclosure of interests relating to a family member or friend to those interests of which the Member is aware or ought reasonably to be aware.  

Members were of the view that the £25 threshold in terms of gifts and hospitality was no longer realistic and that this should be raised to £100.

It was agreed that these comments, together with the comments of the Monitoring Officer set out in the report, should be forwarded by way of a response to the consultation.

Resolved unanimously:

That the Monitoring Officer respond on behalf of the Standards Committee to the consultation including the issues as set out above.

Report of the Head of Legal and Human Resources/Monitoring Officer. 

The Committee was informed that, following the elections in May, there would be two Induction Days, when new Members would receive a general introduction and overview of the Council.  . This would be followed by more detailed training sessions on the Code of Conduct for all Members, and specific training for members of the Standards Committee.  Independent Members of the Standards Committee agreed where possible to be available for these sessions, as it was felt that their presence would raise the profile of the Committee, and would give a useful perspective for new Members.

It was noted that   arrangements would be made through the Lancashire Association of Town and Parish Councils (and directly with other parishes that do not belong to the Association), with a view to arranging for the Monitoring Officer and independent members of the Standards Committee to provide training on the revised Code of Conduct.

Resolved unanimously:

That the report be noted, and that the Independent members of the Committee have input to the induction and training process wherever possible.

Report of the Head of Legal and Human Resources/Monitoring Officer. 

Members considered the report of the Monitoring Officer.

Resolved unanimously:

That the procedure adopted by the Committee for considering reports on investigations relating to alleged breaches of Council Protocols be similar to the statutory procedure for considering reports on investigations initiated by the Standards Board.

Report of the Head of Legal and Human Resources/Monitoring Officer. 

The Monitoring Officer provided members with an update on the caseload of the Standards Board, which was slightly down on the previous year. In the course of discussion the Committee questioned the degree to which the number of cases considered related to the resources available as opposed to the merits of the case.

Resolved unanimously:

That the report be noted.