Minutes:
The Director of Law and Corporate Governance submitted for consideration the Department of Community and Local Government’s Consultation Paper on amendments to the Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members which comprised a copy of the revised draft Model Code and an explanatory commentary on the proposed amendments set out therein. The deadline for responses to the Consultation Paper was 9th March, 2007.
Prior to issuing the Consultation Paper the Government had consulted a number of key stakeholders including the Local Government Association, the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors, the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and the Association of Local Authority Chief Executives and their responses had shaped the current proposals. Through the amendments the Government was seeking to put in place a clearer, simpler and more proportionate Code of Conduct.
It was proposed that the revised Model Code would combine the four separate Codes currently covering Local Authorities, Parish Councils, National Park and Broads Authorities and Police Authorities to form one consolidated Code of Conduct.
As part of the consultation process the Department of Communities and Local Government had asked local authorities to respond to eight specific questions on the amendments proposed. Suggested responses to these questions together with general comments regarding the amendments which had been drafted by the Director of Law and Corporate Governance in conjunction with the Chair were submitted for the Committee’s consideration and approval.
During consideration of this matter attention was drawn to the addition of a specific provision within the revised Code proscribing bullying. Members indicated their view that all kinds of bullying should be regarded seriously and any such complaints referred to the Council for determination should be dealt with rigorously.
Resolved - That the Committee welcome the proposed amendments to the Model Code of Conduct for Local Authority Members and approve the responses to the Consultation Paper now submitted.