Agenda and decisions

Members are required to notify any substitutions by midday on the day of the meeting.

Late substitutions will not be accepted and Members attending as a substitute without having given the due notice will not be able to take part in the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Dominic Griffiths.

To take as read and approve as a true record the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on the 23 October 2024.

RESOLVED:That the Minutes of the Meeting of the Committee held on 23 October 2024 be approved as a true record of the proceedings and be signed by the Chair.

Members should notify the Chair of other business which they wish to be discussed at the end of either Part I or Part II business set out in the agenda. They must state the circumstances which they consider justify the business being considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair will decide whether any item(s) raised will be considered.

There was no other business notified.

Members are reminded that any declarations of interest in respect of any business set out in the agenda, should be declared as either a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest or Declarable Interest and are required to notify the Chair of the nature of any interest declared at the commencement of the relevant item on the agenda.  Members declaring a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest must withdraw from the meeting for the duration of the item. Members declaring a Declarable Interest, wishing to exercise a ‘Councillor Speaking Right’, must declare this at the same time as the interest, move to the public area before speaking to the item and then must leave the room before the debate and vote.

(1)  The Chair advised that, in accordance with Council policy this meeting would be recorded.

(2)  The Chair drew attention to the item on the agenda front pages regarding Declarations of Interest and reminded Members that, in line with the Code of Conduct, any Declarations of Interest needed to be declared immediately prior to the item in question.

(3)  The Chair advised for the purpose of clarification Clause 4.8.23(a) of the Constitution does not apply to this meeting.

To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public.

There was no public participation.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – LEGAL AND COMMUNITY/ MONITORING OFFICER.

The report updates Members of the Committee on standards issues locally and nationally. It contains a summary of the complaints concluded or received since the last report was presented, as well as any other relevant issues that have arisen between Committee meetings on relevant local (e.g. training provided/ undertaken, and an update on the changes to the Standards Committee’s remit).

RESOLVED: That the Committee

(1)  Noted the content of the report and makes any suggestions on future actions.

(2)  Noted the changes to the Standards Committee’s local remit and potential changes in future following the publishing of the English Devolution White Paper.

(3)  Requested that the completion figures of mandatory training for Members (Safeguarding and Data Protection)  be added to future Standards Matters reports. 

REASON FOR DECISIONS: To ensure good governance within the Council and keep the Committee abreast of changes locally and nationally.

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR – LEGAL AND COMMUNITY/ MONITORING OFFICER.

The report deals with the review of the Council’s Whistleblowing Policy and any concerns raised.

RESOLVED: That the Committee

(1)    Considered and noted the Annual Report, together with the actions proposed post benchmarking.

(2)    Approved the Whistleblowing Policy, Appendix 1, in relation to anonymous allegations, as amended, as follows:

Page 30 of agenda item:

“Concerns expressed anonymously are much less powerful but will be considered at the discretion of the Monitoring Officer.”

“In exercising this discretion the factors to be taken into account would include:

·         the seriousness of the issues raised;

·         the credibility of the concern;

·         the likelihood of confirming the allegation from other sources and;

·         the reasoning behind wanting to remain anonymous.

Please remember that if you do not tell us who you are (and are therefore raising a concern anonymously) it will may be difficult for us to look into the matter…” 

(3)    Requested that the Whistleblowing Policy be included within the Code of Conduct training, which was mandatory for Members to complete.

REASONS FOR DECSION:

(1)  Good practice indicates that the Whistleblowing Policy should be reviewed annually. It affords the opportunity to comment on and improve arrangements at the Council.

(2)  To ensure Members are aware of the Whistleblowing Policy and their role within the Policy.

(3)  To use wording that encourages Council employees to use the Whistleblowing Policy as often as required.