Agenda and minutes

The Chair thanked everyone who attended the recent Standards member training.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that Independent Person Barbara Berkhauer has resigned and a vacancy for an Independent Person will be advertised.

Confirmation of the Minutes of the Standards Committee meeting held on 16 August 2017.

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

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on 16 August 2017 be agreed and signed as a correct record.

(Vote: For 3, Abstentions 1 )

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 Langmead, seconded by Councillor Julian and -

Resolved:

That the agenda, as circulated, be agreed.

(Vote:  For unanimous)

The Chair confirmed that the Senior Solicitor has two updates for the committee.

The first item was the document which the Senior Solicitor had emailed to the committee from the Department for Communities and Local Government titled ‘Disqualification criteria for Councillors and Mayors’ – Consultation on updating disqualification criteria for local authority members.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that the consultation will close on 8 December 2017 and asked members to feedback any comments to him via email before the beginning of December so that a written response can be sent.

The second item the Senior Solicitor raised was to distribute a letter from the Department for Communities and Local Government in response to the recent letter the Standards Committee sent regarding Local Authorities and the Standards Regime.

To receive a verbal update from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that Independent Person Roger Levick had attended two Winkleigh Parish Meetings.

Independent Person Roger Levick confirmed he attended the first Parish Meeting to observe and then revisited the Chair and the Parish Clerk to give feedback.

Independent Person Roger Levick confirmed that they were very please with the advice and feedback he provided. He confirmed that he has agreed to revisit the Winkleigh Parish Meeting in a few months time to access if his recommendations have been actioned.

The Chair raised that Holsworthy Hamlets would benefit from a visit from an Independent Person.

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

Resolved:

That a Standards Committee Independent Person will attend the next Holsworthy Hamlets Parish meeting.

(Vote: For unanimous)

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

Resolved:

That Roger Levick will attend the next Holsworthy Hamlets Parish meeting on 11 December as the Standards Committee Independent Person.

(Vote: For unanimous)

To receive a Briefing note from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor explained the role of Advisory Committees and confirmed that a local authority may appoint a committee to advise the appointing authority on any matter relating to the discharge of their functions.

The Senior Solicitor confirmed that all members of an Advisory Committee are able to vote and would then recommend to the main committee.

Members discussed that the advisory role could take place during the Standards Committee Meeting and the chair could ask the Independent Persons and Town/Parish Representatives how they would of voted and this could be recorded in the minutes.

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 the Annual Report.

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.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 1972 (as amended)

It was proposed by Councillor Langmead, seconded by Councillor Hackett –

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)

To receive a verbal update from the Senior Solicitor.

The Senior Solicitor provided a verbal update on the recent complaints received. Brief details were given for the recent complaints.

The Complaint update was duly noted.

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

Resolved:

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

(Vote: For – unanimous)