Agenda item

At the Standards Committee meeting held on 15^th January, 2007, the Chair and Monitoring Officer had identified a number of matters which they proposed the Committee should pursue in the forthcoming municipal year.  Detailed proposals in respect of each of these initiatives were submitted, and it was

Resolved –

(a)  That, in respect of its Annual Report for 2006/07 and future years the Committee adopt a similar format to that of South Gloucestershire’s Standards Committee’s Report.

(b)  That consideration be given to the Annual Report in its new format being distributed to all staff with their monthly pay slips.

(c)  That the Committee be actively involved in setting it aims and objectives for the forthcoming municipal year and based, upon these, a programme of work be drawn up, agreed and incorporated into the Committee’s Annual Report.

(d)  That twice a year after the formal business of the Standards Committee meeting is concluded, short training sessions be held for Committee Members, these to include looking at relevant Standards Board for England case studies.

(e)  That, when the necessary primary legislation is introduced giving Standards Committees responsibility for the initial assessment of all allegations of misconduct, an informal reconciliation / mediation process be drawn up in consultation with the Group Leaders for submission to the Committee for approval.

(f)  That the Officers submit to the Committee annually, for information, details of gifts/ hospitality registered by Members during the preceding municipal year. 

(g)  That the Officers submit to the Committee regular progress reports on the implementation of the Committee’s agreed Work Programme. 

(h)  That the Committee at its next meeting consider and approve arrangements for Committee Members and the Monitoring Officer to attend Parish Council Meetings and for the Independent Co-opted Members to attend Council and Committee meetings of this Authority. 

(i)  That a review of the Committee’s current terms of reference be incorporated into its Work Programme for 2007/08.

(j)  That, subject to the agreement of the Member Panel on the Constitution, Council be recommended to amend paragraph 7 (relating to the Standards (Local Determination) Sub-Committee) of Article 9 of the Council’s Constitution to read as follows:-

“7.  The Standards (Local Determination) Sub-Committee shall be chaired by the Chair of the Standards Committee.  In his/her absence the Chair for the hearing will be appointed from one of the non-elected Independent Members present)”.