Agenda and minutes

The Head of Committee and Governance Services to report any changes to the membership.

There were no changes.

To receive any declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any personal or prejudicial interests to matters on this agenda.

There were none.

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2017.

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2017 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Report of the Director of Law.

4.1       Tasnim Shawkat, Director of Law, introduced the report and set out the current position in respect of the three complaints.  Concern was expressed that no timeframe was given for the completion of investigation.  Tasnim responded by saying that her aim was to complete investigations within 28 days but at all times keep the parties informed.  It was noted that a framework setting out the role of the Independent Person in investigations had bee produced.

4.2       Tasnim Shawkat confirmed that sometimes the complexity of complaints requires that some investigations will take longer.  She confirmed that she was absolutely committed to having complaints dealt with as quickly as possible and as required keeping the various parties informed of progress.  In some cases she advised that it may be necessary to allow more time both following the event that led to the complaint and at the investigation stage.  Accordingly, some degree of flexibility was required.

4.3       Tasnim Shawkat then introduced the consultation which was being carried out by the Committee on Standards in Public Life of local government ethical standards.  It was noted that it was open to anyone to contribute as part of the consultation.

4.4       The Committee considered each of the questions asked by the consultation and agreed that a smaller panel of Members, including at least one of the Independent Panel Members consulted to produce on behalf of the Committee the final response to the consultation.  (Note by the Head of Committee and Governance Services). The final version of the response sent on behalf of the Committee is attached and includes on behalf of the Committee reference to the comments made by the Committee. A report setting out the findings of the review of the Committee on Standards in Public Life will be submitted when available.

            Resolved:

1.       That the “Arrangements for dealing with complaints alleging a breach            of the Members’ Code of Conduct” be amended as shown in paragraph           3.2 of the report and paragraph 4.3 (f) of Appendix 1 of the report;

2.        That the final response to the consultation be sent by the Director of Law on behalf of the Committee, having consulted the Chairman, Councillors Boothroyd and Caplan and both Independent Persons.

Report of the Head of Committee and Governance Services.

Resolved:

That the Council be recommended to approve additions to Register of Interest form to be completed by all Members and Co-opted Members, as follows:

New Section 10 – Please list, including dates where possible, of all training undertaken to prepare you for your role as a Councillor or to develop his/her in this role.

Report of Member Services Manager.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Report of the Head of Committee and Governance Services.

Resolved: That the report be noted.