Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from Councillor Harmsworth for whom Councillor East was substituting.

To approve the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 September 2012 (attached)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Committee held on 4 September 2012 be taken as read and confirmed.

To note any declarations of interest in any matter before the Committee

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider and update the Committee’s Work Programme

The Committee’s work programme was noted. A full report reviewing the first year’s operation of the new Code of Conduct would be submitted to the Committee in June.

To consider a verbal update regarding the operation of the revised Code adopted in July 2012.

The Committee noted a verbal update with regard to the new Code of Conduct adopted by Council in July 2012. To date 58 out of 67 Members and co-opted members had received training on the Code. The Committee were anxious to ensure that all Members received the training and instructed officers to remind those Members that had not attended that they should do so and that the training was regarded as obligatory by the Committee.

The Committee noted that the process for the recruitment of an independent person would begin shortly and that suitable candidates would be presented for Members’ consideration in June for recommendation to Council in July.

RESOLVED: That the Head of Democratic Services write to those Members who had yet to receive the Code of Conduct training, to remind them that this Committee regard the training as obligatory and to request that they arrange a training session with the Monitoring Officer / Deputy Monitoring Officer as soon as possible.

To note the annual report (attached)

The Committee noted the annual report detailing the offers of gifts and hospitality made to officers and Members in the last 12 months. It was agreed that a reminder be sent to Members of the importance of making a declaration even when such offers were declined.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted and the Head of Democratic Services write to all Members to remind them of the importance of making a declaration even when offers of gifts and hospitality are declined.

To note the annual report (attached)

The Committee considered the annual report detailing a range of Standards and ethics indicators for the previous 12 months.

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

This item was discussed in Part II as it contained confidential information as defined in the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985.

The Committee noted details of the complaints made against Members in the last six months.