Meeting documents

Standards Committee
Monday, 2nd July, 2007 7.30 pm

Date:
Monday, 2nd July, 2007
Time:
7.30 pm
Place:
Front Committee Room, Town Hall, Reigate
 

Attendance Details

Present:
Councillors S.A. Kulka and R.S. Mantle.

Mrs. J.A. Cook - Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council
Dr. R. Olliver - Horley Town Council

Mrs. J. Paul - Independent Member
Mr. J. Broadbent - Independent Member
Min NoDescriptionResolution
Part I
1 CONSENT FOR THE MAYOR TO TAKE THE CHAIR
 The Mayor (Councillor Mrs. D.A. Ross-Tomlin) had indicated that she was unable to attend the meeting. In the circumstances and in accordance with Committee Procedure Rules, the election of Chairman was conducted by the Democratic Services representative.
2 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
 RESOLVED that Mr. J. Broadbent be elected Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2007/08.

(Mr. J. Broadbent - in the Chair)
3 ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN
 RESOLVED that Mrs. J. Paul be elected Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the Municipal Year 2007/08.
4 MINUTES
 RESOLVED that the Minutes of the meeting held on 12th March 2007 be approved as a correct record and signed.
5 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND SUBSTITUTIONS
 Apology for Absence

Councillor Mrs. J.S. Bray
Substitute Member -

Councillor Mrs. F.D.M. Dixon
Substitute Member -
6 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
 None.
7 THE ADOPTION OF A NEW MEMBER CODE OF CONDUCT
Minute for Minute Number 7
RECOMMENDED that the new Member Code of Conduct, set out in the Appendix to the Minutes, including the optional provisions shown in bold italics be adopted with effect from 1st September 2007 in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007 and Section 51 of the Local Government Act 2000.

RESOLVED that:

(i) the Monitoring Officer bring a further report to the Committee on the implications of introducing local rules for the issues set out in paragraph 9 of the submitted report; and

(ii) Horley Town Council and Salfords and Sidlow Parish Council be requested to adopt the alternative Code set out in Annex 3 to the circulated report.
8 HEARING INTO AN ALLEGED BREACH OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT: HEARING PROCEDURE
Minute for Minute Number 8
RESOLVED that the Hearing Procedures (and tariff checklist) as circulated with the Agenda, be adopted.
9 FUTURE MEETINGS
Minute for Minute Number 9
RESOLVED that the report be noted.
10 ANY OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
 None.

Minute

Min NoMinute
7Further to the last meeting (2006/07 Minute 22) the Committee received a report on the adoption of a new Member Code of Conduct with effect from 1st September 2007.

The report set out relevant statutory powers, issues relating to the new Code and legal and financial implications. The report had appended to it a new Member Code of Conduct (for the Borough Council) Annex 1, a summary explanation of the provisions of the new Code (Annex 2) and a new Code for adoption by the Town and Parish Councils (Annex 3).

Members noted that the Council could adopt optional provisions (provided they were compatible with the mandatory provisions) and those recommended were shown in bold italics in the proposed Code set out in Annex 1. Councils could also adopt supplementary rules or guidance and a further report with proposals would be submitted to the Committee in due course.

The report concluded that in relation to interests etc. conflicts would inevitably remain but the changes brought about by the new Code were sensible and well intentioned. The rules in the proposed Code were clearer and more proportionate than those in the current Code. They struck a better balance between protecting the public and ensuring that Members could truly represent their own views, where appropriate, and most importantly, those of their constituents.

The Committee noted that Member training on the new Code had been arranged and the next, second session was on 30th July 2007.
8In relation to an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct by a Borough Councillor, the Committee considered the adoption of Hearing Procedures, together with a penalty tariff checklist.

The Head of Legal and Property Services (and Monitoring Officer) updated the Committee on the current situation in respect of the alleged breach and indicated that pre-hearing training/briefing would be arranged. Proposed dates for this and the hearing itself would be circulated to Members in due course.
9It was noted that meetings of the Committee were currently scheduled for:

24th September 2007
5th November 2007
28th January 2008
10th March 2008

At the meeting in September 2007 the intention was to provide the Committee with training on the new Code.