Agenda item

The Corporate Director (Central Services) submitted a report that reminded the Committee of the provisions relating to the granting of dispensations, and asked the Committee to consider a number of applications that had been received and to  consider future arrangements for the consideration of applications for dispensations.

Members were advised that, under the Code of Conduct, a member who had a prejudicial interest (that is, one which a member of the public with knowledge of the relevant facts would reasonably regard as so significant that it was likely to prejudice the member’s judgment of the public interest), must withdraw from the meeting when the matter was being considered, must not exercise executive functions in relation to that matter, and must not seek improperly to influence a decision about the matter, unless the member had obtained a dispensation from this Committee.

The Relevant Authorities (Standards Committee) (Dispensations) Regulations 2002 set out the circumstances in which Standards Committees may grant dispensations.

The Regulations provide that dispensations may only be granted if: -

·               half the members entitled or required to participate in the business of the authority would not otherwise be able to do so; or

·               the authority would not be able to comply with the political balance principles.

Details of an application from Thurnham Parish Council, together with applications for dispensations from Members of the City Council’s Cabinet were set out within the report for Members’ consideration.  The Committee was also asked to consider how it wished to consider requests for dispensations in the future and whether a sub-committee should be established for this purpose.

The request from Thurnham Parish Council was from five of the seven members of the Parish Council for a dispensation to participate in matters relating to Glasson Dock Bowling Club of which the five were members.

The request from the City Council’s Cabinet Members was to enable decisions to be made about indemnities.  This issue would affect all Members and could not be considered without the granting of dispensations.

During the debate it was agreed that, rather than a sub-group being created, the Standards Committee would continue, for the time being, to consider requests for dispensations.

It was moved by Councillor Dent and seconded by Councillor Mace: -

“That the applications for dispensations for Councillors S. Bibby, M. Hornshaw, P. Quick, A. Stalker and M. Stalker of Thurnham Parish Council be granted until the next Parish Council election, subject to none of these members being either the Chair or the Treasurer of the Glasson Dock Bowling Club.”

It was then moved by Mr James and seconded by Mrs McIntyre: -

“That applications for dispensations from Members of the City Council’s Cabinet be granted until the date of the next City Council election to enable the Cabinet to consider the matter of indemnities.”

Upon being put to the vote Members voted in favour of the proposal, whereupon the Chairman declared the proposition to be carried.

Resolved: -

(1)     That the applications for dispensations for Councillors S. Bibby, M. Hornshaw, P. Quick, A. Stalker and M. Stalker of Thurnham Parish Council be granted until the next Parish Council election, subject to none of these members being either the Chair or the Treasurer of the Glasson Dock Bowling Club.

(2)     That applications for dispensations from Members of the City Council’s Cabinet be granted until the date of the next City Council election to enable the Cabinet to consider the matter of indemnities.

(3)     That requests for indemnities continue to be considered by the full Committee for the time being, but that this be reviewed if necessary if the workload becomes excessive.