Agenda and minutes

Subject to the addition of Parish Councillor Canon David Felix’s apologies being recorded, the minutes of the meeting held on 25 May 2011, having been printed and circulated, were signed as a correct record.

The Monitoring Officer will update Members on the Future of Standards.

            The Board received an update on the Future of the Standards regime.

            The Monitoring Officer advised on the progress through Parliament of the Localism Bill, which would contain legislation to abolish Standards for England, the National Code of Conduct and the requirement to have Standards Committees. At the time of reporting, the timetable for Royal assent was November 2011, with the provisions enacted by April 2012.

            Although there would be no requirement for an authority to retain a Standards Committee or Code of Conduct, the independent aspect of the Committee had been recognised as having made a valuable contribution to the work of the Standards Committee in Halton.

            The Monitoring Officer had become aware of suggested proposals for a voluntary code for all authorities in Cheshire. Developments would be reported to the Committee for their consideration prior to a report being submitted to Executive Board and full Council.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

The Monitoring Officer will report on the outcome of a recent complaint investigation.

            The Committee received an update from the Monitoring Officer following consideration of a complaint by the Assessment Sub-Committee at its meeting in July 2011.

            The Sub Committee considered the complaint to be politically motivated and therefore could not be considered within the criteria laid down by the Standards Committee. Furthermore, it was considered that the information submitted was not sufficient for it to be satisfied that there had been a breach of the Code of Conduct.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

            The Committee received a report of the Strategic Director, Policy and Resources which outlined recent decisions in cases where a breach of the Code of Conduct had been alleged in other authorities.

            The Committee noted and discussed the contents of cases from Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, Dover District Council and North West Leicestershire District Council.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.