Agenda and minutes

The Chairman requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee for the 2019/20 municipal year.

It was proposed by Councillor Heath and seconded by Councillor Young that Councillor Anderton be appointed to the position, and there being no further nominations, the Chair declared the proposal to be carried.

Resolved:

(1)          That Councillor Anderton be appointed Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee for the 2019/20 municipal year.

To receive a record of the Minutes of meeting held on 5 December 2018 (attached).

The Chairman welcomed newly elected Councillors to the Committee.

Membership of the Committee had changed since the last meetings held on 5 December 2018. Since none of the new Committee members had been members of the Committee in 2018/19, the minutes could not be agreed as a correct record.

Resolved:

That the minutes from the meeting held on 5 December 2019 be noted.

There were no items of urgent business.

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

Councillors 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, Councillors 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, Councillors 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. 

There were no declarations of interest.

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 paragraph 1 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 110A(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 it could involve the possible disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12 A of that Act.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer presented a report, which outlined the proposed steps for the recruitment of an additional Independent Person in view of one of the current appointees having indicated that he did not wish to continue in the role. It was noted that a report would be presented to full Council seeking approval to commence a recruitment process and the Standards Committee would be requested to establish an interview panel in due course.  The Monitoring Officer responded to a number of questions.

Resolved:

(1)          That it be noted that the Monitoring Officer would seek approval of Council to recruit a further Independent Person.

(2)          That the Standards Committee be provided with further information with regard to the current Independent Persons.

(3)          That the Standards Committee be provided with further information in relation to parish and town councils.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer presented a report, which advised the Committee about the progress of current complaints and any other code of conduct complaints received since the last report in December 2018.  The Monitoring Officer responded to a number of questions.

Resolved:

(1)          That the report be noted.