Please note these positions must now be filled by Independent Members.

The Committee noted the requirement to have an Independent Member in the Chair for its meetings.

RESOLVED that Mr Michael Knott and Mr David Bell be appointed as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively of the Committee for the 2009/10 municipal year.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2008.

RESOLVED -

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2008 be confirmed as a correct record.

Members were invited to declare interests in relation to items of business on the agenda.  Any interests declared are recorded in the relevant minute below.

To discuss and review the first year of the local complaints procedure.

The Assistant Head of Legal and Democratic Services (Business Management) reported that, since the local Code of Conduct complaints procedure began in May 2008, there had been seven complaints made in total.  Of these, one complaint had been progressed to the ‘third stage’ and had been upheld; three were dismissed at the ‘second stage’ (where the Monitoring Officer reported back on the investigation requested by a separate group of Members at the first stage); one was dismissed at the ‘first stage’; and two were currently ongoing.

RESOLVED that the report be noted.

The Assistant Head of Legal and Democratic Services (Business Management) submitted proposed Local Assessment Criteria which could be used by the First Filter Sub-Committees when considering whether or not to ask the Monitoring Officer to investigate a complaint.  The criteria had been designed to assist Members to determine whether or not a complaint had potential substance and whether it fell within the remit of the Committee and the Code of Conduct.

RESOLVED that the Proposed Local Assessment Criteria for use by First Filter Sub-Committees be adopted.

To discuss any training requirements for Standards Committee Members.

The Committee was asked whether there were any training requirements.  The Assistant Head of Legal and Democratic Services (Business Management) confirmed that a revised Code of Conduct was anticipated within the next 12 months, on which training would be given for all Members once the exact details were known.  In addition, further training on chairing skills was currently being offered.

The Committee discussed the need for the Committee Members to have undergone training on the ethical framework and the Code of Conduct prior to becoming a Committee Member.  Whilst it was felt that the Borough Council could not enforce a Parish or Town Councillor to undertake such training, it should be strongly recommended to them and their Parish/Town Clerk that they do so.  However, the Committee should not allow a Member to adjudicate on a complaint or case unless they have undergone the relevant training.   

RESOLVED that, subject to the above, there are no further training requirements for the Committee at the present time.