Agenda and minutes

The Chair welcomed newly elected Councillors to the Committee.

The Chair requested nominations for the position of Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee for the 2023/24 municipal year.

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

Resolved:

(1)        That Councillor Harris be appointed Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee for the  2023/24 municipal year.

To receive the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2021 (attached). 

The Chair welcomed newly elected Councillors to the Committee.

Membership of the Committee had changed since the last meeting held on 3 November 2021. Since none of the new Committee members had been members of the Committee in 2021/22, the minutes could not be agreed as a correct record.

Resolved:

(1) That the minutes from the meeting held on 3 November 2021 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 Deputy Monitoring Officer advised the meeting that although the Summary of Complaints report was public it contained an exempt appendix and the Committee would need to exclude the press and public if they were minded to ask questions in relation to the exempt appendix. 

It was proposed by Councillor Ainscough, seconded by Councillor Riches and agreed unanimously to exclude the press and public at this point.

Whilst the report is public it contains an exempt appendix, and the Committee is recommended to pass the following recommendation in relation to the following item:-

“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 if the Committee are minded to refer to the exempt appendix, 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 includes an exempt appendix, it is for 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 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 Deputy 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 on 3 November 2021. The Deputy Monitoring Officer and  Investigating Officer responded to a number of questions.

 Resolved:

(1) That the report be noted.