To elect a Chairman/woman for the meeting.

Councillor Mandy Darling was elected Chairwoman for the meeting.

To consider a report that reviews the Members Code of Conduct.

Further to the Standards Committee held on 31 July 2020, Members received a report detailing a review of the Members’ Code of Conduct which had been amended, following a consultation exercise and release of a new model code of conduct by the Local Government Association.  It was noted the Council adopted its current Members’ Code of Conduct in 2012 and whilst locally the Members Code of Conduct had been kept under review, the recent publication of the Local Government Association model Code of Conduct was the first national review since the Localism Act 2011 introduced the requirement for local authorities to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members.

Resolved:

That, subject to the changes made by the Committee at the meeting (namely reference to IT equipment at paragraph 4.3(d);  and the addition of words ‘as required’ in respect of training at paragraph 5.1), the Members Code of Conduct, as set out in Appendix 1 to the submitted report be recommended to Council for approval.