Agenda item

Oral update from the Chair

The Chair reported that he had written to the Community Secretary with the regards to the abolition of the Standards Board Regime. He distributed a handout, which summarised the responses from various MPs and Councillors. He explained that one of the main arguments in his letter in favour of retaining the Standards Board Regime was that it had acted in a way that protected Councillors as well promoting ethical and proper conduct amongst elected Members.

Councillor Flavelll commented that it would be a positive and progressive step to take the opportunity to outline and suggest what would constitute a good a Standards Committee if there should be a change in administration following the May 2011 elections. Councillor Scott commented that people were under the impression that the Standards Board Regime had already been abolished and expressed concern that it may not hold as much kudos.

Councillor Hollis argued that working in partnership with other local authorities should be explored and suggested it be taken county wide; if the Council were unable to adjudicate in-house, this would provide the opportunity to continue a practising Standards Committee.

Councillor Matthews argued that as the Standards Board Regime had continued there had been a decrease in the number of Councillors reported and argued that this was as a result of increased standards of conduct amongst Councillors.

Councillor Hollis reported that it should be remembered that the Localism Bill had not yet been made an Act and thus the Standards Board Regime would continue for some time. She reported that it would be of use for the Chair of the Committee to liaise with the relevant people and draft a document which would outline the conduct and standards expected at the Council, more graphically than the Code of Conduct, for after the elections, with particular regards being paid to newly elected members.

The Chair reported that he would like to communicate with Party Leaders and senior officers to explain the achievements of the Standards Committee and to publicise the fact that not only had it been a tool to ensure that Councillors worked to an ethical criteria, but it had also protected Councillors from having vexatious reports made against them. He commented that he was aware that under the abolition of the Regime reports would have to be investigated by the police or the Local Government Ombudsmen, which would be arduous, lengthy and arguably impractical. 

Questions were raised with regards to the current Code of Conduct, which was a statutory requirement for all Councillors to sign and adhere to. Under the abolition of the Regime, the validity of this was unknown and it was suggested that a voluntary Code of Conduct be explored to ensure that there would be some Standards in place, which would be followed by elected Members.

The Chair commented that the Monitoring Officer had informed him that all cross party Councillors of the Council, had been in agreement about the role of the Standards Committee and the work that had been undertaken and recognised.

RESOLVED:

1)     That members note the contents of the oral report

2)     That the Chair collates recommendations of the Committee with regards to drafting a new Code of Conduct to be discussed before the May 2011 Elections.