Agenda item - Standards Update

Extract from the proceedings of the Audit & Standards Committee meeting held on the 26 June 2012, (to be circulated separately as part of an addendum at the meeting) together with a report of the Monitoring Officer (copy attached).

18.1         Councillor Lepper introduced the report and stated that changes to the code of practice had been required by the Localism Act and a cross-party working group had been looking at the various proposals before bringing forward the recommended changes.  She believed that Members would need to take a more active role in ensuring that they complied with the requirements and wanted to put on record her appreciation of the role and work undertaken by the independent members of the old Standards Committee.  They had played an important part in the committee’s success and she was disappointed that it was no longer a stand alone committee and that the Standards Board for England had also been removed.

18.2         Councillor A. Norman supported the comments and noted that the changes resulting in councillors having to declare disclosable pecuniary interests were a fundamental change and Members should be mindful that failure to disclose was now a criminal offence.  She also wished to place on record her thanks to Dr. Wilkinson and the other independent members of the Standards Committee for their contributions over the years.

18.3         Councillor Littman stated that he fully supported the comments and had enjoyed his time on the Standards Committee.  He also felt that every Member should ensure they were familiar with the code of conduct and wished to thank the officers, especially the Monitoring Officer for their support and guidance on the changes that have come into effect.

18.4         Councillor J. Kitcat stated that he had previously had an issue with the Standards Committee and had felt that the old scheme had been flawed and therefore welcomed the reforms.  He wanted to thank the Working Group and officers for their work and asked that consideration be given to how the scheme could be made clear for members of the public so that they understood why Members declared an interest and the implications of such declarations.

18.5         The Mayor noted the report had been moved and proposed that the recommendations be agreed.

18.6         RESOLVED:

(1)         That the adoption of the new Code of Conduct for Members as set out at Appendix One to the report with effect from the 20^th July 2012 be agreed;

(2)         That the adoption of a simplified Complaints Procedure as set out at Appendix Three to the report with effect from the 20^th July 2012 be agreed;

(3)         That the Monitoring Officer be instructed to advertise a vacancy for the appointment of two Independent Persons in accordance with statutory requirements and to convene an appointment Panel of Members in accordance with the proposals in paragraphs 3.20 and 3.21 of the report;

(4)         That the Monitoring Officer be instructed to put in place arrangements for training for Members on the new Code and arrangements for the register of Members’ interests;

(5)         That the Monitoring Officer be instructed to consult with the Parish Council and to report to the next meeting of the Audit & Standards Committee with details of the Code of Conduct to be adopted by the Parish Council and the arrangements for the register of Parish Council interests;

(6)         That Standing Orders be amended with effect from 20^th July 2012, to require Members with a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest to withdraw from the meeting.