Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Payne and Bexon, parish representative Patricia Woodfield and Independent Person, John Baggaley.

Councillor Roxanne Ellis attended as a substitute for Councillor Payne.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record.

None.

Report of the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, providing updates on the reviews carried out by the working groups and seeking approval for amendments to various aspects of the current standards regime.

RESOLVED that:

1)    The principles of the revised Register of Interests Form be endorsed;

2)    Standards Committee recommends to Council that the Code of Conduct be amended so as to increase the level of gifts and hospitality which needs to be registered from £25 to £50;

3)    The revised Arrangements for dealing with complaints at Appendix 2 to the report be approved;

4)    The current arrangements for dispensations be retained;

5)    The current arrangements for the Standards Committee be retained and the Monitoring Officer take steps to recruit to the position of co-opted independent member;

6)    Standards Committee recommends to Council that the amended remit of the Committee at Appendix 3 to the report be approved to make it clear that the Borough Council can no longer grant dispensations;

7)    Standards Committee recommends to Council that the increase to Members’ basic allowances agreed at Council in March 2016 be applied to the fixed fee retainer and additional fee for complaints dealt with following an investigation paid to the Independent Person and reserve Independent Person;

8)    The allowance paid to the Independent Person and reserve Independent Person be reviewed annually; and

9)    The Monitoring Officer take steps to recruit to the position of reserve Independent Person.

Report of Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, informing members of the Standards Committee of gifts and hospitality received between 1 April 2015 and 31 March 2016.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Report of Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services.

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Organisational Development and Democratic Services, which had been circulated prior to the meeting, informing members of the Standards Committee of complaints received between 1 February 2016 and 31 August 2016.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

None.