Agenda and draft minutes

Members of the Standards Committee are asked to consider whether they have an interest in any matter on the agenda, and, if so, to formally declare that interest.

There were no delcarations of interest.

Minutes of the meeting held on the 13^th February 2024 are attached.

It was agreed that:

The minutes of the meeting held on the 13^th February 2024 were approved as a correct record.

Information from Democratic Services is attached.

Jacqui Dennis, the Council Monitoring Officer presented to Members draft guidance produced to support the recently approved Code of Conduct. 

The Monitoring Officer reported that the document provides a quick guide as to some example behaviours which have been considered against the Member Code of Conduct.

The code of conduct is not a stand alone document and should be read in conjunction with the Member, Officer protocol and also the Social Media guidance issued to elected members and officers.

Members reviewed the guidance and the following issues were raised:

Members would like further clarification as to when they are acting in their role as a Councillor and when as a member of the public.

The Monitoring Officer reported with regards to the issue of a Councillor and an Officer having a Personal relationship, both Officers and Councillors are advised to seek guidance from the MO in these instances.

Following discussion at the Standards Committee, the new code of conduct includes the bullying definition, as defined by ACAS. 

Officers should not engage with Elected members on social media.

It was agreed:

The guide will be reviewed annually by the Standards Committee.

An all member “new” code of conduct training session will be arranged in the new municipal year.

Additional narrative will be added to the document to provide further context to the separate areas of the code.

The Head of Democratic Services provided Members present with an overview of the Member Induction programme. 

The update included the following information:

The Induction Day will be held on the 9th May 2024, all candidates will be advised of the date of the induction prior to the election by letter and will be asked to save the date should they be successful.  All serving Councillors will be invited to attend as a refresher should they wish to.

The day will begin with a meeting with the Chief Executive as well as updates in respect of: Casework system, Discretionary grants, development and training 30 mins, Code of Conduct and Register of Interests.

The day will end with a Networking Lunch with Exec Directors , Leader, Mayor & Deputy Mayor.

All new Members will be provided with an Elected Members Handbook which contains information about Committees, Councillors, Council Structures, the Exec Team and links to strategies and policies.

The Member Development Programme will request that all newly elected Councillors complete the recommended training as soon as possible including GDPR.

Newly elected Councillors will be invited to attend the training provided specifically about being a new Councillor which is provided by North West Employers and resources available through the LGA

All Councillors invited to attend the meeting of Mock Council on the 18^th June 2024.

Committee Training will be provided for all Members of Committees, prior to or at  the first meeting.

It was agreed that:

The update be noted.

Jacqui Dennis, Monitoring Officer reported that a Member complaints update Paper will be considered in the new municipal year.  A number of complaints have been received since mid march, the Independent Person has been approached and a more detailed update will be available at the next meeting.

The Monitor Officer reported that one matter had been concluded, the complaint had been upheld and the Member was asked to, and has, issued a formal apology.

It was agreed that;

A member complaints report will be considered at the next meeting of the Standards Committee due to be held on the 2^nd July 2024.

Jacqui Dennis, Monitoring Officer reported that the term of office for the current independent persons will expire imminently.

It was agreed that:

The existing appointed independent persons will be re-appointed for a two year term to be formally agreed as part of the annual appointments report due to be considered at Annual Council.

The Council will seek to appoint a third independent person, for gender balance this will be a woman, recruitment will be commence immediately.

Note: the Independent Person present left the meeting for the consideration of this item.

A report from the Council’s Monitoring Officer is attached.

Following agreement with the Chair, the Head of Democratic Services presented a report to Members present in relation to the failure of a Member to attend a meeting for 6 months.

The Head of Democratic Services reported that:

Councillor Mason has not attended any council meeting since the 12th October 2024. There hasn’t been any reasons given for his lack of attendance at meetings despite numerous contact being sent by the Democratic Services team.

There was a Council meeting on the 20th March 2024. Were Cllr Mason to have attended this meeting, there would not have been any failure to attend a council meeting throughout a period of six consecutive months within the meaning of s 85(1) of the Local Government Act 1972 (“LGA 1972”).

Section.85 of the Local Government Act 1972 states that when a Council Member fails to attend any meeting for six consecutive months from the date of their last attendance, they cease to be a member of the authority, unless the Council accepts a reason for the failure to attend before the six months period expires.

Councillor Mason has not applied to Council for a dispensation prior to the expiry of the six month period.

If a Member once loses their office through failure to attend for the six months period, the disqualification cannot be overcome by the Member subsequently resuming attendance.

Councillor Mason is not currently a member of any committee, sub-committee, joint committee, joint board or other body (within the meaning of s 85(2) of the LGA 1972).

It follows from that as things stand Cllr Mason will fall foul of s 85(1) of the LGA 1972 on the 12th April 2024.  

It was agreed that:

The Standards Committee notes that as of the 12th April 2024, 6 months will have passed since Councillor Mason last attended a meeting of the authority, at the time of writing, no request has been made for an extension of the 6 month rule, prior to the end of the six month period.