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BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL STANDARDS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE HELD IN CRICKET MEADOW VIEW ROOM, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON FRIDAY 11 NOVEMBER 2005
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PRESENT:
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Members |
Co-opted Members |
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Mrs S P Clarke
Mr N H J Irwin
Mr R E Kemp |
Mrs J N Cole
Miss P F Cook
Mr W Marley
Mr J Newton |
Mr N A Ridley was unable to attend the meeting.
23 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None received.
24 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record subject to Mr R E Kemp being added to those present at the meeting.
25 PETITIONS
None received.
26 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
None received.
27 TRAINING FOR TOWN/PARISH COUNCILS
Mary Mitson-Woods, the Chief Executive of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils (SALC) attended for this item and circulated a report entitled ‘Proposal for refreshed syllabus for ethical training to reflect recent case studies and reports of failure to comply with the Code of Conduct’ that was subsequently numbered as Paper E224. She pointed out that although the proposed cost of commissioning the training and the associated material would be £150 per district, and £50 plus travelling for the tutor for each course, it was proposed that the training would be free to Parish/Town Councils. Members agreed that this was an important issue as nearly half the complaints of failure to comply with the Code of Conduct involved Parish/Town Councils and this may be reduced by better training and guidance. During the discussion the following were among the points raised:-
§ It was important to ensure that advice on ethical matters was consistent and therefore a common approach to training was needed throughout the County.
§ Members agreed that the training of Parish/Town Clerks should have a high priority and suggested that in addition a guidance leaflet as ‘Standards made Simple’ could be produced as a reference guide for Parish/Town Clerks; Mary Mitson-Woods would investigate the commissioning of such a document in conjunction with Monitoring Officers.
§ Members were in agreement with the content of the training course but emphasised the importance of the modules relating to Members’ Interests, especially for Babergh; Mary Mitson-Woods indicated that the course could be adapted to suit individual District Councils’ needs.
§ Although the training course was specifically aimed at Town and Parish Councils, it could be useful for Members of the Standards Committee to attend, especially for Module 1.
It was noted that Kathryn Saward would liaise with Mary Mitson-Woods, Chief Executive of the Suffolk Association of Local Councils, regarding the offer of training for Town and Parish Councils.
28 LOCAL STANDARDS HEARING – MR C JOWETT
The Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E196) on the outcome of the hearing relating to the referred complaint in respect of Mr C Jowett, a former Councillor with East Bergholt Parish Council. The report also provided information regarding Mr Jowett’s application to appeal the decision of the Standards Sub-Committee and reported on the finding of the President of the Adjudication Panel for England.
RESOLVED
That the information contained in Paper E196 be noted.
29 QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT
The Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E195) on Members’ Declarations of Interest and the Hospitality Register. Members questioned whether the last three entries on the Schedule of Members’ Interests Declared at Meetings relating to concessionary bus passes and/or rail cards should have been declared as prejudicial interests instead of personal. The Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services agreed to write to the Councillors involved to inform them of the concern expressed at the meeting.
NOTE: Having investigated the matter further after the Committee meeting, the Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services was satisfied that there was no prejudicial interest requiring disclosure.
RESOLVED
That the information contained in Paper E195 be noted.
30 STANDARDS BOARD CONFERENCE 5 AND 6 SEPTEMBER 2005
The Chairman provided a report (Paper E198) on the Standards Board Annual Conference that she had attended on 5 and 6 September 2005, along with the Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services. The Conference covered a variety of matters including the review of the Code of Conduct, membership of Standards Committees, Standards Hearings and the role of the Standards Board. The Chairman expressed concern that the intention of the Standards Board to transfer more complaints to Local Standards Committees could result in the need for further funds and resources within District Councils; Kathryn Saward stated that she had input a budgetary request bid to cover this.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Chairman and the Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services be thanked for their feedback on the conference.
(2) That the information be noted.
31 CODE OF CONDUCT
The Chairman updated Members on the review of the Code of Conduct by the Standards’ Board and circulated a report that was subsequently numbered E225. The Standards Board review was now complete and recommendations had been made to the Government. The revised Code would be made available to Members, but it is not expected to be implemented until late 2006.
32 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC (WHICH TERM INCLUDES THE PRESS)
RESOLVED
That pursuant to Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting for the business specified below on the grounds that if the public were present during this item it is likely that there would be the disclosure to them of exempt information as indicated against the item.
33 PUBLICATION OF MEMBERS’ INTERESTS ON THE COUNCIL WEBSITE (Exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 7 of Part 1, Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972)
The Acting Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E197) on the publication of the Register of Members’ Interests on the Council website. Neither the Standards Board for England nor the Information Commission were able to provide specific advice but commented that there may be Data Protection Act issues to consider before any decision was made on publication. Members were concerned about the growth of identity theft and crimes relating to the access of personal information via the internet and therefore agreed that each individual should have the choice of whether their Register of Interests should be made available on the Council’s website. The website should however make it clear that the Register was available for public inspection at the Council Offices.
RECOMMENDED TO COUNCIL
That the publication of the District Councils’ Register of Interests on the Council’s website be voluntary and Members can decide whether to opt in to publication rather than having to give a reason to opt out.
The next meeting of the Committee was arranged for Friday 3 February 2006 at 9.30 a.m.
The meeting concluded at 11.30 a.m.
Chairman
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