Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Murray and Payne with Councillor Martin Smith attending as substitute.

RESOLVED:

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record subject to adding in a reference to the tribute paid to John Boot and Geoff Parkinson.

None.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of the gifts and hospitality received between 1 April 2020 and 31 March 2021 as well as identifying issues arising from the annual review of the Register of Gifts and Hospitality.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer

The Deputy Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, seeking approval to commence recruitment for the vacant post of co-opted parish representative.

It was pointed out that, due to a mistake in the report, there was only one parish council member on the Committee so only one vacancy has arisen and would be recruited to.

Councillor Bosworth, Boyle and Elliott volunteered to be members of the panel.

RESOLVED:

1)    To agree to commence the recruitment process to fill the co-opted parish council representative vacancy as detailed in the report;

2)    That an Interview Panel of three, drawn from the membership of the Standards Committee, is established and that the Panel shall make a recommendation as to appointment to the next meeting of this Committee; and

3)    That the interview panel shall be able to interview candidates and make recommendations to appoint to any future vacancies that arise for co-opted members or independent persons.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, updating Members on the review of the Council‘s Code of Conduct.

RESOLVED to:

1)    Note the work undertaken by the Working Group in reviewing the Council’s Code of Conduct;

2)    Note the report and recommendations of the Working Group at Appendix 3 to this report, namely that:

a)    no changes are made to the Gedling Borough Council Code of Conduct.

b)    the Monitoring Officer prepare a Guidance document for Members and the public, to support the Gedling Borough Council Code of Conduct, such document to be brought back to the Committee for consideration.

3)    Agree to a period of consultation with stakeholders and the public in relation to this review as detailed in the report.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of complaints received between 11 March 2021 and 10 June 2021.

Following the Committee’s request, the Monitoring Officer reported that since the last meeting she had sought information from the relevant group leader in relation to complaint STD001778 and that no reply had been received.

RESOLVED:

To note the report.

Under this item the Chair advised members that the date of the next meeting would be rescheduled to 9 September.

The Monitoring Officer informed members that since the last meeting Susan Dewey (Reserve Independent Person) had advised that she would be leaving Nottinghamshire at the end of August and therefore resigning from her position. The Chair thanked Susan for her contribution to the Committee’s work.