Issue - items at meetings - Good Governance Review - progress on action plan

Report of the Director of Strategy & Governance (copy attached).

RESOLVED –

(1)         That the contents of the report be noted.

9.1                   The Committee considered a report of the Director of Strategy & Governance updating Members on the implementation of recommendations from the Good Governance review.

9.2                   In response to a query from Councillor Randall concerning the availability of a good practice checklist for councilors and managers, the Head of Law reported that the Audit Commission could not provide one, but had instead suggested that the council look at several other local authorities as examples of good practice. He added that the Standards Committee had agreed to set up a working group to consider Member/officer relations.

9.3                   CouncillorSimson sought assurances that the Overview & Scrutiny team was sufficiently staffed and resources to cope with the increased volume of work that was expected in the future.

9.4                   The Head of Law explained that under the new arrangements the availability of resources would be a consideration when determining whether to proceed with a request for scrutiny; the council would not commit itself if the work could not be undertaken using existing resources.

9.5                   In response to questions from Councillor Mitchell, the Head of Law confirmed that the coalition government had taken the decision to abolish the existing Standards framework, including the Standards Board for England. It was likely that the Code of Conduct framework would remain and therefore the need for a Standards Committee. He added that the National Standards Conference would not be going ahead.

9.6                   The Chairman stated that it was important to recognise the progress made in relation to Member/officer relations and the council’s Overview & Scrutiny function.

9.7                   RESOLVED –

(1)         That the contents of the report be noted.