BABERGH DISTRICT COUNCIL
STANDARDS COMMITTEE
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE HELD IN COMMITTEE ROOM 1, COUNCIL OFFICES, CORKS LANE, HADLEIGH ON TUESDAY 16 AUGUST 2005
PRESENT: Members Co-opted Members
Mrs S P Clarke Mr W Marley
Mr N J Ridley Mr J B Newton
Mrs J M Cole, Miss P F Cook, Mr N H J Irwin and Mr R E Kemp were unable to attend the meeting.
15 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
None received.
16 MINUTES
RESOLVED
That the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 May 2005 be confirmed and signed as a correct record.
17 PETITIONS
None received.
18 QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS
None received.
19 ETHICAL AUDIT – REVIEW OF THE ANTI-FRAUD AND CORRUPTION POLICY
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E93) to enable the Committee to review the Council’s Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy as part of the ethical audit of the Council. Members accepted the recommendations contained in paragraphs 6-10 and considered some further amendments.
RESOLVED
(1) That the Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy be revised in accordance with the recommendations contained in paragraphs 6-10 of Paper E93 along with the following additional amendments:-
(a) In paragraph 4.4 “Members should report all suspected irregularities to the Monitoring Officer” be added.
(b) In paragraphs 5.4.2 and 5.4.3 the words “or Member” being added after “the employee”.
(c) Paragraph 5.5.4 being amended to include “ and Members” after “for staff” and to be cross referenced with paragraph 2.3.
(d) References to the Head of Legal and Administrative Services should be amended to the Monitoring Officer.
(2) That the Council’s Internal Audit Department be informed of the amendments above and be requested to inform the Standards Committee of any amendments made to the employees’ Code of Conduct.
(3) That a statement be included within the Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy which Members will be asked to sign to confirm their agreement to comply.
20 MONITORING REPORT
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report (Paper E94) on Members' Declarations of Interests and the Hospitality Register.
RESOLVED
That the information contained in Paper E94 be noted.
21 REPORT FROM THE ADJUDICATION PANEL
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services submitted a report from the Adjudication Panel (Paper E95) relating to a Case Tribunal Decision concerning Councillor Wrinch.
The Head of Legal and Administrative Services was currently preparing a draft letter from the Chairman of the Standards Committee to the Parish Clerk confirming the decision of the Adjudication Panel.
RESOLVED
That the information contained in Paper E95 be noted.
22 STANDARDS BOARD ROADSHOW
Mr Newton reported that he had been unable to attend the Standards Board Roadshow in Norwich on 7 June 2005.
Mrs Clarke gave a verbal update on the Standards Board Roadshow that she had attended with Mrs Cole in London on 21 June 2005.
Note: 1. The next meeting of the Committee was arranged for Friday 11 November 2005.
The meeting concluded at 10.30 a.m.
Chairman
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