election of chairman

Mr Robert Nunn was elected as Chairman for the remainder of the 2011/12 Municipal Year.

election of vice-chairman

This item was deferred to the next meeting of the Standards Committee.

minutes

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 November 2010 (Minute Nos. 476 - 479) were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

The Minutes of the following Sub-Committees were accepted by the Committee and signed by the Chairman:

Standards Referrals Sub-Committee on 3 March 2011 (Minute Nos. 706 - 712);
Standards Referrals Sub-Committee on 21 April 2011 (Minute Nos. 786 - 791);
Standards Appeals Sub-Committee on 21 April 2011 (Minute Nos. 792 - 795);
Standards Consideration Sub-Committee on 27 April 2011 (Minute Nos. 796 - 802);
Standards Hearing Sub-Committee on 12 July 2011 (Minute Nos. 145 - 147);
Standards Referrals Sub-Committee on 18 August 2011 (Minute Nos. 199 - 201);
Standards Referrals Sub-Committee on 13 October 2011 (Minute Nos. 337 - 339).

declarations of interest

No interests were declared.

part a minutes for confirmation by council

annual monitoring officer's report

The Monitoring Officer introduced his report, which provided an overview of the Monitoring Officer's work over the past year and any significant developments. He advised that the Localism Bill was receiving Royal Assent on 15 November 2011 to become an Act of Parliament.

The Monitoring Officer went through his report page by page and highlighted particular issues for the Committee's consideration. He explained that some of the functions of the Monitoring Officer would change, to reflect the amendments being proposed in the Localism Bill in relation to standards and the code of conduct. He stressed the need for transitional arrangements and that it was likely the new proposals would take effect from 1 April 2012. Any outstanding complaints to the Standards Committee at that time would have to be resolved within two months.

The Chairman drew attention to an error on page nine of the report, in relation to the number of Standards Committee meetings held between November 2010 and October 2011, which should read one, not three.

The Monitoring Officer provided a highlight of some of the proposals in the Localism Bill in relation to standards and code of conduct issues. He advised that the proposals would abolish the Standards Board for England and Local Authorities would be responsible for creating and implementing their own local codes. He explained that the proposals would still require Members to register interests but the details were not known at this stage. He considered that it would be beneficial for the Committee to receive an update once the Bill had received Royal Assent.

Members expressed concerns that there was no proposed national code of conduct for Parish Councils, as the majority of complaints received related to Parish issues. They also considered that having different codes of conduct for each Parish Council could be confusing for members of the public.

A Member commented on the importance of Parish Council's receiving adequate training. The Parish Council representative advised that training sessions were available through the National Association of Local Councils.

The Chairman thanked the Monitoring Officer for his comprehensive report and update.

part b minutes for information

annual report on member training and development

The Senior Democratic Services Officer introduced the second annual report on Member Training and Development. The report was being submitted to the Committee in line with the Member Training and Development Strategy and provided an overview of progress since November 2010.

A Member commented on the range of training sessions being provided for Members, the substantially good attendance and the excellent organisation of sessions by Democratic Services.