Agenda and minutes

To appoint a vice-chairman for the 2013/14 municipal year.

Resolved:

That Councillor Sherlock be appointed vice-chairman for the 2013/14 municipal year.

Minutes of meeting held on 25^th April 2013 (previously circulated). 

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

There were no items of urgent business.

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 10 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. 

Councillor Mace declared an interest in item 7 on the agenda, the nature of the interest being that he was referred to in the complaint.

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 items of business, on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information, as defined in paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of that Act.”

Members are reminded that, whilst the following items 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. 

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 items of business on the grounds that they could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of schedule 12A.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Head of Governance introduced an exempt report about code of conduct complaints received since the last meeting.

It was noted that complaints 4, 5 and 6 had been assessed subsequent to the agenda being published, and a decision had been taken that no further action be taken on them.

Resolved:

That the report be noted.

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

(Having declared an interest in this item, Councillor Mace left the room and Councillor Sherlock chaired the meeting)

The Head of Governance introduced an exempt report about a code of conduct complaint and gave the views of the Chief Executive and Independent Member, having discussed it with them in accordance with the assessment criteria.

The committee was requested to determine whether or not any further action should be taken on the complaint.

Resolved:

That no action be taken in relation to the complaint.