To elect a Chairman/woman of the Committee for the remainder of the 2012/2013 Municipal Year.

Councillor Stocks was elected Chairwoman for the remainder of the 2012/2013 Municipal Year.

To appoint a Vice-Chairman/woman of the Committee for the remainder of the 2012/2013 Municipal Year.

Councillor Thomas (J) was elected Vice-Chairman for the remainder of the 2012/2013 Municipal Year.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 14 June 2012.

The Minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 June 2012 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairwoman.

Members requested a letter of thanks be sent to the former Standards Independent Members who had diligently worked to ensure that the Council maintained high level of ethics and probity.

To note the Terms of Reference for the Standards Committee.

Members noted the Terms of Reference for the Standards Committee.

To review the Members Code of Conduct and Local Protocol for the Assessment and Determination of Allegations of Braches of the Members Code of Conduct.

Members were informed that the Council adopted its new code of conduct on 12 July 2012, subsequently the Monitoring Officer developed a protocol to deal with any complaints that may be made about a Members behaviour.  The Monitoring Officer sought Members views on both the code of conduct and protocol which had been in operation for six months.

The Committee had no areas of concern and felt that they and their colleagues appeared comfortable with the requirements of the code of conduct and requested a further review in six months.

To consider a report on the above.

Members considered a draft job description and person specification for the new Independent Person.  In particular Members were asked to comment on the number of Independent Persons to be appointed, whether an allowance should be paid and any additional eligibility criteria.

Resolved:

That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to advertise and recruit two Independent Persons, subject to:

i)          the eligibility criteria being amended to exclude people who may be active Members of a political party and/or to reflect any similar eligibility criteria for the Independent Persons appointed under the previous standards regime;

ii)         the Independent Person being able to claim travel and subsistence, with an additional payment of £50 being made when attendance at a Hearing is required;

iii)        that the Independent Persons be appointed for a four year term of office;  and

iv)        the Interview Panel to include Councillors Amil, Doggett and Morey, the Monitoring Officer and the Executive Head Commercial Services.

To note the figures detailed in the report.

Members noted the report which set out the number of complaints that was dealt with under the ‘old’ standards regime.