20 April 2007 - Agenda

To all Members of the Standards Committee

Members Co-opted Members

Mrs S P Clarke
Mr N H J Irwin
Mr R E Kemp
Mr N A Ridley

Mr J B Newton
Mr B Riley
Mrs J M Cole
Miss P F Cook

ITEM

BUSINESS

1

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive apologies for absence.

2

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

3

MINUTES

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2007 as a correct record.

4

PETITIONS

The Head of Corporate Services to report, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, the receipt of any petition submitted to the Chief Executive.

5

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

The Chairman to answer any questions on matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District and fall within the terms of reference of the Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 15.4 – (a) and (b).

Paper
F220

6

ADOPTION OF NEW MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

Paper
F221

7

MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT CASE REPORTS

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

8

TRAINING FOR TOWN/PARISH COUNCILLORS

Paper F222

9

QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

10

SIXTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLEY OF STANDARDS COMMITTEES

The Monitoring Officer to report that the Annual Standards Conference is once more being held at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham. The dates for the Conference are 15 and 16 October 2007. The focus this year will be "Down to detail - Making local regulation work" and sessions will include (i) an introduction to the new Code (ii) the local filter (iii) safeguarding standards (iv) resources; challenges, solutions and support (v) managing referrals, investigations and sanctions, and (vi) an overview of the revised Code.

In previous years, 2 representatives have attended the Conference. Two places have been reserved and the Committee is invited to nominate attendees.

11

JOINT ARRANGEMENTS FOR STANDARDS COMMITTEES

The Monitoring Officer to report that the Standards Board is seeking volunteer authorities to pilot a project on joint working of Standards Committees. This follows proposals to allow joint working of committees to handle the increased workload that will result from the local filter system which is due to be implemented in April 2008 and which will see all complaints being referred to authorities instead of the Standards Board.

The Standards Board has recently established a team to implement the pilot. The Monitoring Officer has been unable at this stage to secure full particulars of the pilot, but seeks a view from the Committee as to whether participation in the pilot would be acceptable in principle.