Agenda item - Standards Update

Report of the Head of Law and Monitoring Officer

1)           That the Committee note the information provided in the Report on member complaints and on standards-related matters.

2)           That the Committee agree in principle to the setting-up of a cross-party working group of members, this with a view to inputting into the consultation on the current Local Government Standards regime referred to in the report.

59.1      The Committee considered a report of the Head of Law & Monitoring Officer that updated Members on Standards related matters since the previous meeting.

59.2      Councillor Wealls asked if Members were made aware of complaints made against them even if it was deemed no further action was required.

59.3      The Senior Lawyer confirmed that Members were informed on every occasion of any complaint made against them and within 5 working days of receipt.

59.4      In reference to recommendation 2.2, the Executive Lead, Strategy Governance & Law advised that it would not be necessary for Group Leaders to appoint to the cross-party working group and the committee could nominate Members to the group at the meeting should that be deemed appropriate.

59.5      The following Members were nominated and appointed to the cross-party working group: Councillor Allen, Councillor Miller and Councillor Sykes.

59.6      Councillor Morris expressed his concern that the standards regime was now less prescribed adding that the performance of Members needed to be reviewed.

59.7      The Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance & Law answered that wide-ranging training sessions were provided however; the sessions had not been well attended. The Executive Lead, Strategy, Governance & Law added that he hoped attendance would increase as the training sessions were a valuable tool for Members and officers alike.

59.8      RESOLVED-

1)           That the Committee note the information provided in the Report on member complaints and on standards-related matters.

2)           That the Committee agree in principle to the setting-up of a cross-party working group of members, this with a view to inputting into the consultation on the current Local Government Standards regime referred to in the report.