Agenda and minutes

Confirmation of the Minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 30 January 2017.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2017.

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

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 30 January 2017 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: unanimous)

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Boundy and –

Resolved:

That the minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2017 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For 5, 1 abstention)

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.

There are no Part II items.

The Senior Solicitor raised that he was looking at holding a  ½ day Standards training session in which all members would be invited to carry out the training. The Senior Solicitor confirmed that he will look at a number of dates and contact members via email.

Roger Levick commented that he believed the Chair had handled recent the issues very professionally and hoped that the committee can now move forward.

To receive a report from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior solicitor provided a report on the introduction of a hearing procedure for the determination of Standards Committee complaints in relation to the Members Code of Conduct.

The Chair commented that whilst there is currently no formal adopted hearing procedure, some of the key steps were used as an aide at the recent Code of Conduct determination.

Councillor Langmead raised that that the Standards Committee should adopt a hearing procedure as contained in the report however Councillor Langmead would also like a number of sanctions to be mandatory. These are:

·         Mandatory training

·         Withdrawal of the Basic Allowance paid to Councillors for a stipulated period; and

·         Suspension from Committee Membership.

The Senior Solicitor reminded members that currently they have no power to suspend under the localism act and that they can only recommend a suspension from Committee Membership to the group leader.

It was proposed by Councillor Brown, seconded by Councillor Julian and –

Resolved:

That the Standards Committee would adopt a hearing procedure as detailed in the report.

(Vote: For unanimous)

To receive a report from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor gave an update on the Parish/Town Council liaison plan and schedule of visits for the Standards Committee.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that he had written to all 48 parishes which currently have an active Town/Parish Councils or Parish Meeting. 7 out of the 48 responded confirming that they would like a visit from a member of the Standards Committee to a Town and Parish Meeting.

The Chair asked for volunteers to visit Town and Parish Meetings and Councillor Julian, Councillor Boundy, Town & Parish Representatives Richard Clark and Harold Martin and Independent Persons Roger Levick all volunteered.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that a training session will be held in October to ensure that everyone delivers the same message to the Parishes.

The Chair requested an update of complaints have been received and how each complaint has been handled. The Senior Solicitor confirmed that at the next Standards meeting on 22 November a Complaint update will be provided.

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Boundy and –

Resolved:

That the Standards Committee will visit Town and Parish Councils following training and the visit will include an outline of work which the Standards Board carry out, code of conduct, complaints handling and declaration of interest.

(Vote: For unanimous)

To discuss the rules relating to exempt and confidential information.

Members had a discussion regarding Part II and the access rights to Part II information. Councillor Langmead confirmed that any member and non elected member can go to any Part II information.

Richard Clark commented that can’t Part II information be confidential to just the committee that are discussing the Agenda item.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that this could not be done due to the Access to Information Procedure in the constitution.

It was proposed by Councillor Julian, seconded by Councillor Boundy and –

Resolved:

That the rules relating to attending meetings should be revisited.

(Vote: For unanimous)

To consider the letter from Taunton Deane Borough Council.

Members discussed the letter which had been received from Taunton Deane Borough Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Carroll, seconded by Councillor Boundy and -

Resolved:

That the Standards Committee would write to central Government indicating its support for the letter sent from Taunton Deane Borough Councils’ Standards Committee confirming  that they agree that the following sanctions should be made mandatory:

·         Mandatory Training

·         Withdrawal of the Basic Allowance paid to Councillors for a stipulated period

·         Suspension from Committee Membership

(Vote: For, unanimous)

Independent Person Roger Levick asked can Town & Parish and Independent Persons vote as per the letter from the Taunton Deane Borough Council.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that the letter from Taunton Deane Borough Council was referring to a Standards Advisory Committee which then advises the Standards Committee.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that he will give a clarification of the role of Independent Person and Town & Parish Representatives at the next meeting.

To consider items for the 2017/2018 Forward Plan.

The forward plan was discussed and it was agreed that a Town and Parish Council Liaison update would be added to the forward plan as well as Standards Advisory Committee.