Agenda and minutes

No apologies were received.

Confirmation of the minutes of the Standards Committee held on Wednesday 28 June 2023.

It was proposed by Councillor James, seconded by Councillor Gubb and –

Resolved:

That the Minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday 28 June 2023 be agreed as a correct record.

(Vote:  For 4, Abstentions 2)

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 James, seconded by Councillor Gibson and

Resolved:                                                   

That the agenda, as circulated, be agreed.

(Vote:  For Unanimous)

Chair raised the current vacancy for Parish Representatives on the Committee.  It was arranged for an advertisement to be sent to the Parish Clerks.

To review the forward plan.

Members discussed the forward plan. It was agreed that members would review a report regarding East Devon District Council and this would be added to the agenda for the next Committee meeting.

Councillor Annie Brenton joined the meeting at 10:05.

During discussions Members raised the current situation in relation to Standards and questioned the effectiveness of sanctions and their use. A brief update provided the National context on the issue.

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.

Members were advised that the meeting would move to Part II to enable full and frank discussion during the Standards training session.

 It was proposed by Councillor James, seconded by Councillor Gibson and

Resolved:

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.

A training session for Members, provided by Beth Evans.

Chair welcomed Beth Evans to the meeting, who went on to deliver a detailed training session regarding the role of Standards Committee in upholding high standards of conduct. 

It was agreed that the presentation slides from the meeting would be shared with members and the Councillor Complaints Procedure Flowchart would be passed to Councillor Annie Brenton.

Chair and members thanked Beth Evans for the training provided.

It was proposed by Councillor Gibson, seconded by Councillor Hawkins and

Resolved:

That the meeting leave Part II and close.