Present at the meeting:
Elected Members
- Councillor J Ellis
- Councillor B J Fagan
- Councillor Mrs J Prescott
- Councillor C Ready
- Councillor P Thompson
- Councillor F B Walker
Independent Members
- Mr G Wood (Chairman)
- Mr P G Pennington
Parish Council Members
- Councillor M Crosby (Shevington)
47 Apologies for absence: Councillor Mrs S Dewhurst and Councillor M A Thomson (Haigh Parish Council) and Mr R Kidd, Mr D Lea and Mrs P Wheal.
48 Minutes: The minutes of the meeting of this Committee held on 27 January 2009 were approved as a correct record.
49 Adjudication panel for England/ethical standards officers’ decisions: There were none.
50 Minutes of the Standards Assessment Sub Committee: The Committee considered the minutes of the meetings of the Assessment Sub Committee held on 27 January and 18 March 2009.
The Committee was advised that the Assessment Sub Committee had considered three cases. Of the three cases considered:-
- one had been referred to the Standards Board for England for consideration;
- one had been deferred in order to allow the Monitoring Officer to offer mediation between the two parties; and
- one had been considered by the Assessment Sub Committee, who, having taken account of the available information, did not believe that a potential breach of the Code of Conduct had occurred. In relation to this decision, Members were informed that the time period for the complainant to request a review of the decision had expired.
Members were recommended to reserve comment should they be required to consider the two pending cases as part of an investigation or a Review Sub Committee.
Resolved: The Committee notes the report.
51 Parish issues: There were none.
52 Enhancing the role of a Standards Committee: The Committee considered a report of the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, which sought Members’ views on the possible steps to enhance the role of the Standards Committee within the Council. The Committee also took into consideration requirements of the Use of Resources Assessment which would form part of the Council’s Comprehensive Area Assessment from 2008
The Committee had received advice from the Standards Board for England on the wider role that Standards Committees within Local Authorities could be undertaking.
The Committee was of the view that whilst the role of the Standards Committee could be enhanced, it should not move into areas which were already adequately covered within the Council. The Committee also expressed a view that it would not wish to widen its role into employment and disciplinary matters in relation to employees.
The Committee suggested that the following steps could be pursued to strengthen the role of the Committee in promoting standards and a sound ethical framework within the Council:-
- the Standards Committee would take a more involved role in overseeing the training of both Members and Officers in standards and ethical issues;
- to establish an annual work programme for the Committee;
- the Chairman of the Standards Committee would report annually to the Council on its activities and issues it sought to progress or bring to the Council’s attention;
- to establish the Standards Committee as part of the framework of the Authority that met regularly with the Audit, Governance and Improvement Review Committee and Overview and Scrutiny Committee to view holistically the governance of the Authority;
- to continue further meetings with group Leaders and the Chief Executive to promote a dialogue and positive working relationship with key parties within the Council; and
- to promote the work of the Standards Committee on the Council’s website.
The Committee acknowledged that it was not feasible to undertake all the steps identified at the same time and therefore it should look to implement them in stages.
Resolved: The Committee:-
- agrees to establish an annual work programme for the Committee, which should include the issues discussed;
- agrees that the Chairman of the Standards Committee will report annually to the Council on its activities and issues it seeks to progress; and
- agrees that the Chairman of the Standards Committee continues to meet with group Leaders and the Chief Executive to promote a dialogue and positive working relationship with key parties within the Council.
53 Protocol to formalise the appointment arrangements for future Assessment and Review Sub Committees: The Committee considered a report of the Service Director – Borough Solicitor, which sought Members’ views on proposals that all members of the Standards Committee should be available for selection on Panels of either the Assessment Sub Committee or the Review Sub Committee. The report also sought Members’ views on the criteria for the selection of Members to the Panels.
Resolved: The Committee:-
- agrees that all Members of the Standards Committee be available for selection on Panels of the Assessment Sub Committee and the Review Sub Committee (parish representatives only taking part on parish issues); and
- agrees the criteria for the selection of Members to the Panels as set out in the report now submitted.
54 Vote of thanks: Resolved: The best thanks of this Committee are extended to the Chairman for his efforts and leadership in helping to improve standards of conduct across the Council. The Chairman, in turn, thanked the officers for the excellent services rendered by them in supporting his role.
