Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Brenton and Barbara Berkhauer (Independent Person).

Members discussed the elected members for the Standards Committee. It was confirmed that Councillor Robinson will continue as an elected member and Councillor Langmead had joined the Committee.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2016

It was proposed by Councillor Boundy, seconded by Mr Clark and –

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2016 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote:  For 4 , Abstentions 4)

Matters Arising From The Minutes

7. The Chair asked the Senior Solicitor if he had investigated the possibility of making changes to substitutions for the Standards Committee. The Senior Solicitor confirmed that he will look into this and will add the item to the next Agenda.

Members with interests to declare should refer to the agenda item and describe the nature of their interest when the item is being considered.

The Chair asked that declarations of interest be made as and when the specific agenda item to which they related was under discussion.

It was proposed by Councillor Carroll, seconded by Councillor Brown, and

Resolved: That the agenda, as circulated, be agreed.

(Vote:  For – unanimous)

There were no urgent matters.

Discussion of item raised by Independent Person Mr Levick – pro-active attendance at Parish and Town Council meetings and liaison on specific Parish and Town Council issues.

Members discussed ways in which they can help keep complaints to a minimum. Members agreed that it would be advantageous if Members of the Standards Committee could attend Town and Parish Council Meetings.

The Senior Solicitor believed this would be a good idea but would require all Members to help cover the Parish meetings as the Senior Solicitor could not cover all 64 parishes.

Members discussed that all Councillors should be contacted to find out if they know of any issues at Parish Meetings they attend; Standards Committee Members can then prioritise attending these meetings.

It was proposed by Councillor M Langmead, seconded by Councillor G Dezart and –

Resolved:

That the Senior Solicitor will:

• Contact all councillors to see if they know of any issues at Parish Councils
• Agree to a member of the Standards Committee to be available to attend Parish Council meetings if required
• Collate all code of conducts from the Parish Councils

(Vote:  For – unanimous)

To discuss the current Access to Information Procedure, and particularly the disclosure or dissemination of confidential or exempt information.

The Senior Solicitor presented Constitution Part 4 – Chapter 2: Access to Information

Procedure.

Members discussed the Chapter of the Constitution which led to discussions that Members were concerned that Part II might be breached in the future.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that Constitution Part 4 – Chapter 2: Access to Information Procedure confirms what a Part II item is.

The Members noted the document.

Senior Solicitor to discuss items to be added to the Forward Plan.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that substitutions for the Standards Committee would be added to the next Standards Committee.

Also a dispensation for Councillor M Brown and Councillor C Simmons would be added to the forward plan as the current dispensations expired in August 2016.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 (as amended)

It was proposed by Councillor M Langmead, seconded by Councillor M Brown –

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act (as amended) the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business because of the likely disclosure of exempt information by virtue of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 and Paragraph 10 of Part 2 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

The Chair to move :

That the public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting because of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in )Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

To receive a verbal update from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor provided a verbal update on the two complaints. Brief details were given for the complaints which were outstanding.

The Complaint Update was duly noted.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Dezart and

Resolved:

That the meeting return to Part I and that any press and public be readmitted.

(Vote: For – Unanimous)

Part I

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that there would be an extraordinary Standards Meeting for the applications for Dispensation for Councillor M Brown. The Senior Solicitor would confirm meeting date via email.