Agenda and decisions

To receive any apologies for absence.

Councillor Homewood was appointed as Chair of the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Hill, Warner and Watson.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 15 September 2021.

RESOLVED-

That the minutes of the meeting held on 15 September 2021 be agreed as a correct record.

Committee Members will be asked to advise if there are any items on the Agenda in which they have a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, which would prevent them from participating in any discussion on the item or participating in a vote upon the item, or any other interests.

No interests were declared.

Most debates take place in public. This only changes when there is a need to consider certain issues, for instance, commercially sensitive information or details concerning an individual. You will be told at this point whether there are any items on the Agenda which are to be discussed in private.

It was agreed that all agenda items would be held in public session.

The Committee will receive any petitions and hear any deputations from members of the public. A deputation is where up to five people can attend the meeting and make a presentation on some particular issue of concern. A member of the public can also hand in a petition at the meeting but that petition should relate to something on which the body has powers and responsibilities.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 10 (2), Members of the Public should provide at least 24 hours’ notice of presenting a deputation.  

No deputations or petitions were received.

The Committee will hear any questions from the general public.

In accordance with Council Procedure Rule 11(5), the period allowed for the asking and answering of public questions shall not exceed 15 minutes. A maximum of 4 questions per person may be submitted.

No questions were asked.

To receive a report detailing complaints received since the last Standards Committee meeting in September 2021.

Contact Officer: David Stickley – Senior Legal Officer

RESOLVED-

That the report be received and noted.

To receive a report setting out news and cases of interest since September 2021.

Contact Officer: David Stickley – Senior Legal Officer

RESOLVED-

That the report be received and noted.

To receive a report on the survey analysis and the outcome of the standards workshops held in November 2021 and February 2022.

Contact Officer: David Stickley -  Senior Legal Officer

RESOLVED-

    (i)        That the report be received and noted.

  (ii)        That the Monitoring Officer be delegated to draft an amendment to the standards process to introduce a “fast track” process to address repeat complaints and to report to this Committee.

 (iii)        That the Monitoring officer works with Town and Parish councils to consider options for increasing involvement at Town and Parish Council level in the Standards process and to report back to this Committee in September with proposals.

 (iv)        That this Committee working with NALC and the LGA (as appropriate) to raise the issue of the delay in the government response to the CSPL report write as a Council (or jointly with NALC and/or LGA) to the Minister highlighting the need for a formal response.

  (v)        That work be undertaken with Members and Officers to update and refresh and raise awareness to the Member Officer protocol and the importance of that to the efficient and effective working of the Council.

 (vi)        That more regular workshop and engagement sessions with Members and Officers to discuss issues of common concern about behaviours are arranged.

(vii)        That further actions and training support was considered.

(viii)        That the new code of conduct emailed to Members had a requirement of a received and read confirmation.