Meeting documents

Standards Committee
Wednesday, 14 July 2010

Notice of Meeting, Summons and Agenda

M E H RADFORD - Corporate Services Director
Date Published: 06 July 2010
 

A meeting of the Standards Committee will be held in the Council Chamber, Swale House, East Street, Sittingbourne on Wednesday 14 July 2010 at 7:00pm.

Members: Councillor Chairman not yet elected (Chairman), Councillor Vice - Chairman not yet elected (Vice Chairman), Councillors Dave Banks, Lloyd Bowen, Jackie Constable, Adrian Crowther, Patricia Sandle and Ben Stokes.

Quorum = 3

 



Members: Councillors Dave Banks, Lloyd Bowen, Jackie Constable, Adrian Crowther, Pat Sandle and Ben Stokes.
 
Independent Members of the Committee are: Messrs Maclean, Nunn and Rogers.
 
Parish Council Representatives: Councillors Graham Addicott and John Mills.
 
Quorum = 3 (including 1 Independent Member).

 
1

election of chairman


 
2

election of vice-chairman


 
3

minutes


Report for Item 3 | Annex 1 for Item 3 | Annex 2 for Item 3 | Annex 3 for Item 3 | Annex 4 for Item 3 | Annex 5 for Item 3 | Annex 6 for Item 3

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 17th November 2009 (Minute Nos. 479 - 484) as a correct record and to accept the Minutes of the Standard Sub-Committees:

Standards Appeal Sub-Committee - 17th February 2010
Standards Consideration Sub-Committee - 21st April 2010
Standards Referral Sub-Committee - 14th January 2010, 16th March 2010 and 3rd June 2010.

 

 
 
4

declarations of interest



Members who have an interest to declare must declare the existence and nature of it at the start of the meeting.
 
Members are reminded that even if an interest has been declared in the Members' Interests Register, it should still be disclosed at each meeting. Members are encouraged to seek advice in advance of the meeting if in any doubt.

 
 

part a reports for recommendation to council


 
5

update on the local referral system



The Monitoring Officer and the Interim Head of Legal to lead a discussion on the implementation of the local referral system.
 
Members are asked to consider any lessons learnt from their personal experience and involvement over the last year of operating the local referral system.
 
In particular, Members are asked to consider the following three questions:
1.      What worked well?
2.      What didn’t work?
3.      What could be improved for 2011?

 
6

appointment of independent members and matters arising from the coalition government



Arising from the announcement made in the Coalition Agreement that it is intended to abolish Standards for England, the Monitoring Officer contacted them to ask whether it would be possible to extend the terms of office of the two Independent Members whose terms of office had either expired or were due to expire.
 
Given the uncertainty over the regime and the considerable experience that the two individuals now have of the local referral system, Standards for England has confirmed that this course of action was appropriate. Letters have been sent to the two Independent Members and an update of the position will be given at the meeting.
 
Standards for England have cancelled their annual conference and have advised that their quarterly returns do not need to be submitted for the time being.
 
Any additional information will be provided verbally at the meeting.

 
7

terms of reference for the local filter and determination


Report for Item 7 | Annex 1 for Item 7 | Annex 2 for Item 7 | Annex 3 for Item 7 | Annex 4 for Item 7

To consider the report of the Interim Head of Legal (report to follow).
Report added 9th July 2010.

 
8

parish council representation



Members are asked to note that the Swale Branch of the Kent Association of Parish Councils has asked that its representation on the Committee be increased to three members.
 
The Standards Committee is a properly constituted Committee of the Council and any change in Membership would require the approval of full Council. Given the uncertainty over the future of the standards regime it is not felt appropriate to consider this request at this stage until the future direction of the standards framework is clearer.
 
However, it is suggested that members might wish to consider allowing a third representative to attend meetings in an observer capacity as an interim measure.

 
9

work programme


Report for Item 9

To consider the report of the Interim Head of Legal (report to follow).

Report added 9th July 2010.
 

View the Minutes from this meeting

 

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