Agenda and minutes

To appoint a vice-chairman of the Standards Committee for the 2012/13 municipal year.

Resolved:

That Councillor Mace be appointed Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the current municipal year.

Minutes of meeting held on 14^th June 2012 (previously circulated). 

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record.

There were no items of urgent business.

Councillor Mace declared an interest in Item 55 on the agenda, stating that he was a member of the same political group as the appellant.

The Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation 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 of business, on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 5 of Schedule 12A of that Act.” 

Members are reminded that, whilst the following item has been marked as exempt, it is for the Committee itself to decide whether or not to consider it 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 should balance the interests of individuals or the Committee itself in having access to information.  In considering their discretion, members should also be mindful of the advice of council officers. 

Resolved:

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 of business on the grounds that it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 5 of Schedule 12A of that Act.

The Chairman introduced an exempt report which advised the Standards Committee of an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal (Local Government Standards in England), and sought views on the Committee’s suggested response.

In the course of discussion, there was general agreement on the need to contest the appeal, although concerns were raised about the potential cost to the council.

It was proposed by the Chairman, and seconded by Councillor Coates, that the Committee should contest the appeal, and delegate the formulation of the formal response to the Monitoring Officer.

On being put to the vote, four members voted in favour and one voted against.  Councillor Mace wished it to be recorded that he voted against the motion.

Resolved:

That the appeal be contested, and the Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to formulate a response to the Tribunal.