Agenda item

REPORT OF THE SERVICE DIRECTOR LEGAL AND COMMUNITY AND MONITORING OFFICER

This report seeks approval to change to having an IP and two Reserve IPs, rather than an IP, a Deputy IP and a Deputy Reserve IP. It seeks to end the appointment of Stephen Bubb (no longer a Broxbourne IP), and to appoint John Richardson as a Reserve IP. It also seeks approval for the confirmation of continuing appointment of Nicholas Moss (as IP) and Peter Chapman (as ResIP). All appointments to be for a period of up to 4 years (two years and potential extension for a further two years).

Councillor North asked for each recommendation to be voted upon separately.

Councillor David Levett called for recorded votes.

Following discussion it was agreed that one vote would be taken in respect of recommendations 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4, with a second vote being taken regarding recommendation 2.2.

Following recorded votes it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)       That John Richardson be appointed as Reserve Independent Person;

(2)       That the continuing appointment of Nicholas Moss as Independent Person and Peter Chapman Reserve Independent Person be confirmed;

Appointments under (1) and (2) be on the basis of a fixed term of up to 4 years (two-years, with delegation to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair/ Vice Chair of Standards Committee to extend for a further two years.

(3)       That the appointment of Stephen Bubb as Deputy Reserve Independent Person be ceased.

(4)       That it be delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair/Vice Chair of Standards Committee the decision (in the event that the current Independent Person decides within term not to continue/ no longer qualifies), to appoint one of the existing Reserve Independent Persons as the Independent Person and/ or to undertake any further recruitment as may be required.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Council’s Standards processes can operate in accordance with legislative requirements in the event that one or both of the IP and ResIP are unable to advise on a matter. The recommendation on term is one that reflects the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s (CSPL) recommendation. This should also allow for a degree of succession planning/ training whilst experienced persons are in place.

The recorded votes were as follows:

Resolutions (1), (3) and (4)

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Clare Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire. Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake. Terry Tyler, Tom Tyson and Michael Weeks.

Total: 37

Against:

Total: 0

Abstain:

Councillor Bill Davidson.

Total: 1

Resolution (2)

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Clare Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Bill Davidson, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire. Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake. Terry Tyler, Tom Tyson and Michael Weeks.

Total: 36

Against:

Total: 0

Abstain:

Councillors: Sam Collins and Sam North

Total: 2

Audio recording – 54 minutes 52 seconds

Councillor Ruth Brown, Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee presented the report entitled Appointment of Reserve Independent Person (& Confirmation of Existing Appointments together with the following appendix:

·                Appendix A - Selection Criteria.

The following Members took part in the debate:

·                Councillor Sam North;

·                Councillor David Levett;

·                Councillor Paul Clark;

·                Councillor Michael Weeks;

·                Councillor Sam Collins;

·                Councillor Ruth Brown;

·                Councillor Simon Harwood.

Member comments included:

·                That the requirement for Independent and Reserve Independent Persons to live in the District should be relaxed in future.

The Service Director – Legal and Community and Monitoring Officer reiterated that if appointment were not confirmed, it would leave the Council with only one untrained person, which would place the Council in a difficult position.

Councillor Ruth Brown proposed the recommendations and Councillor Martin Stears-Handscomb seconded.

Councillor North asked for each recommendation to be voted upon separately.

Councillor David Levett called for recorded votes.

Following discussion it was agreed that one vote would be taken in respect of recommendations 2.1, 2.3 and 2.4, with a second vote being taken regarding recommendation 2.2.

Following recorded votes it was:

RESOLVED:

(1)       That John Richardson be appointed as Reserve Independent Person;

(2)       That the continuing appointment of Nicholas Moss as Independent Person and Peter Chapman Reserve Independent Person be confirmed;

Appointments under (1) and (2) be on the basis of a fixed term of up to 4 years (two-years, with delegation to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair/ Vice Chair of Standards Committee to extend for a further two years.

(3)       That the appointment of Stephen Bubb as Deputy Reserve Independent Person be ceased.

(4)       That it be delegated to the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair/Vice Chair of Standards Committee the decision (in the event that the current Independent Person decides within term not to continue/ no longer qualifies), to appoint one of the existing Reserve Independent Persons as the Independent Person and/ or to undertake any further recruitment as may be required.

REASON FOR DECISION: To ensure that the Council’s Standards processes can operate in accordance with legislative requirements in the event that one or both of the IP and ResIP are unable to advise on a matter. The recommendation on term is one that reflects the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s (CSPL) recommendation. This should also allow for a degree of succession planning/ training whilst experienced persons are in place.

The recorded votes were as follows:

Resolutions (1), (3) and (4)

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Clare Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Sam Collins, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire. Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Sam North, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake. Terry Tyler, Tom Tyson and Michael Weeks.

Total: 37

Against:

Total: 0

Abstain:

Councillor Bill Davidson.

Total: 1

Resolution (2)

For:

Councillors: Ian Albert, Daniel Allen, Clare Billing, Ruth Brown, Val Bryant, Paul Clark, Bill Davidson, George Davies, Elizabeth Dennis-Harburg, Morgan Derbyshire. Jean Green, Gary Grindal, Simon Harwood, Terry Hone, Keith Hoskins, Mike Hughson, Tony Hunter, Steve Jarvis, David Levett, Ian Mantle, Jim McNally, Ian Moody, Michael Muir, Lisa Nash, Sue Ngwala, Helen Oliver, Sean Prendergast, Mike Rice, Adem Ruggerio-Cakir, Carol Stanier, Martin Stears-Handscomb, Claire Strong, Richard Thake. Terry Tyler, Tom Tyson and Michael Weeks.

Total: 36

Against:

Total: 0

Abstain:

Councillors: Sam Collins and Sam North

Total: 2