28th July 2006 - 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 21 April 2006 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).

6

APPOINTMENT OF MONITORING OFFICER AND DEPUTY MONITORING OFFICER

Verbal update by the Monitoring Officer.

7

REVIEW OF THE CODE OF CONDUCT

Verbal update by the Monitoring Officer.

Paper F60

8

MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT CASE REPORTS

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

9

LOCAL STANDARDS HEARING

Verbal update by the Monitoring Officer on the progress of outstanding investigations.

Paper F61

10

QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

11

TRAINING FOR TOWN/PARISH COUNCILS

The Monitoring Officer to report that since the last meeting of the Standards Committee four seminars have taken place to provide training on the Code of Conduct for town/parish councillors and parish clerks. The Monitoring Officer undertook a presentation entitled “Probity in Planning” as part of a wider training programme arranged by the Head of Planning (Control) at sessions held on 3, 10, 17 and 25 May. The presentation focused on the Code and in particular the declaration of interests. Each session included a questions and answers slot. Evening training was provided at Sudbury Town Hall and Babergh Council Offices and in the afternoon at Stoke-By-Nayland Golf Club and Hotel and at the Holiday Inn in Ipswich.

Of the 171 people who had booked places on the training, 145 attended. 2 District Councillors attended along with a number of parish clerks. In total, there were representatives from 51 of the 76 town/parish councils.

Babergh was also due to host two training sessions on the Code of Conduct on 8 June. The training was arranged by SALC and was to be undertaken by Bruce Laws with attendees paying £5 per head to cover Mr Law’s fee and SALC’s costs. Regrettably, the sessions had to be cancelled due to a lack of interest with only 8 reservations for the morning training and 3 for the afternoon. SALC has offered those 11 parish councillors the opportunity to attend the same presentation hosted by Forest Heath District Council. Clearly, this will not have been as convenient for those individuals and the Monitoring Officer will raise the issue of training with the County Monitoring Officers Group to explore the possibility of a collaborative training approach.

Members are asked to note the position.

Paper F62

12

THE FIFTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF STANDARDS COMMITTEES

The Annual Standards Conference takes place on 16 and 17 October 2006 at the ICC in Birmingham. The Council has booked 2 places at the Conference and the Standards Committee needs to nominate 2 attendees. Details of the Conference are provided in the leaflet attached.

13

INDEPENDENT MEMBERS NETWORK

Verbal update by J Newton and B Riley on the meeting held on 15 June 2006.

Note:

Following the meeting a guidance DVD produced by The Standards Board, entitled Going Local: Investigations and Hearings, will be shown to any Members who were not able to stay for the viewing after the last meeting.