Agenda and minutes

Standards Committee - Thursday 22 June 2023 6.00 pm

Venue: Council Chamber. View directions

Contact: Francesca Whyley  Head of Governance and Customer Services

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for absence

Minutes:

Apologies were received from Rosalie Hawks.

2.

To approve, as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 15 December 2022 pdf icon PDF 13 KB

Minutes:

RESOLVED:

 

That the minutes of the above meeting, having been circulated, be approved as a correct record, subject to a correction to add Councillor Michael Payne to the absentees list.

 

 

3.

Declaration of interests

Minutes:

None.

4.

Recruitment of co-opted Parish Representative pdf icon PDF 142 KB

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Minutes:

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

 

The interview panel members agreed were Councillors Feeney (Labour) and Towsey-Hinton (Liberal Democrat), plus a councillor from the Conservative Party who were absent from the meeting.   It was agreed that The Monitoring Officer would contact the remaining two members outside of the meeting and ask for a volunteer to join the interview panel.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

1)    Authorise the Monitoring Officer to commence the recruitment process for a co-opted parish council representative to join the Standards Committee

 

2)    Establish an interview panel of 3 members drawn from the membership of the Standards Committee; and

 

3)    Agree that the panel shall bring a recommendation as to appointment to the next meeting of this Committee

 

5.

Review of the Code of Conduct pdf icon PDF 236 KB

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, seeking approval to commence a review of the Members Code of Conduct.

 

The Monitoring Officer informed the committee that Rosalie Hawks had expressed an interest in joining the working group. The remaining working group members agreed were Councillors Feeney (Labour) and Towsey-Hinton (Liberal Democrat), plus a councillor from the Conservative Party who were absent from the meeting.   It was agreed that The Monitoring Officer would contact the remaining two members outside of the meeting and ask for a volunteer to join the working group.

 

RESOLVED to:

 

1)     Agree to the establishment of a working group to support the Monitoring Officer in a review of the Member’s Code of Conduct

2)     Agree to a consultation on changes to the Code of Conduct with stakeholders and residents as detailed in this report

 

6.

Gifts and Hospitality 2022/23 pdf icon PDF 155 KB

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing the Standards Committee of gifts and hospitality received between 1 April 2022 and 31 March 2023 and to identify any issues arising from the annual review of the Register of Gifts and Hospitality.

 

RESOLVED:

 

To note the details of the annual review of gifts and hospitality.

 

7.

Code of Conduct Complaints Update pdf icon PDF 138 KB

Report of the Monitoring Officer

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report, which had been circulated in advance of the meeting, informing members of complaints received between 15 December 2022 and 22 June 2023.

 

RESOLVED:

 

That the report be noted.

8.

Any other item which the Chair considers urgent

Minutes:

None.