Issue - meetings

REPORT OF THE MONITORING OFFICER

This is the Annual Report in relation to ethical standards for the last year. It covers the work of the Committee as well as the issues that have arisen locally and nationally on ethical standards matters.

RESOLVED: That Council received and noted the Annual Report.

REASON FOR DECISION: In line with recommended good governance practice to report the work of Standards Committee to the full Membership, to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and to demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical values.

Audio recording – 137 minutes 09 seconds

Councillor Ruth Brown presented the report entitled ‘Annual Report of the Standard Committee’ and advised of the following, that:

·         For most of the 2022-23 Civic Year it was the late Councillor Judi Billing as Chair, who was passionate about standards in public life.

N.B. Councillor Lisa Nash and Cathy Brownjohn left the Chamber at 21.48 and did not return.

·         There were three Independent and Reserve Independent Persons on the Committee, who were very good and took the role very seriously, and their views were welcomed by the Committee.

·         Thanked the Independent Persons, Monitoring Officer and Deputy Monitoring Officers who all played a role in upholding standards at the Council.

·         All District Councillor undertook the mandatory Code of Conduct training. This was also made available to Parish Councillors and uploaded to GrowZone for Members to view.

·         A large number of complaints had been received but was down on the previous year. Each complaint was very resource intensive, but it was important to have a robust procedure that dealt with complaints fairly and independently. 

·         Only one meeting of the Committee took place and this focussed on discussing complaints and an update to the Complaints Handling Procedure at the Council.

In response to a question from Councillor David Levett, the Service Director – Legal and Community advised that the Parish Councillor attendance at the Code of Conduct session could have been better, but the slides were provided to all Parish Clerks to circulate to their Councillors.

Councillor Ruth Brown proposed and Councillor Ralph Muncer seconded and, following a vote, it was:

RESOLVED: That Council received and noted the Annual Report.

REASON FOR DECISION: In line with recommended good governance practice to report the work of Standards Committee to the full Membership, to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and to demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical values.