Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from the Chairman (Councillor Riley) and Councillor Khursheed (for whom Councillor Oswell was substituting).

To approve the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 9 March and 14 May 2015 (attached)

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meetings of the Committee held on 9 March and 14 May 2015 be taken as read and confirmed.

There were no declarations of interest.

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

RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

Members were reminded that, in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 201, the Council was required to have in place arrangements under which, firstly, complaints against Members and co-opted members could be investigated and, secondly decisions on complaints could be made. As a part of that process the Council was required to appoint at least one 'Independent Person'. Although not a member of the Standards Committee, the Independent Person's views were to be sought and taken into account by the Committee when considering complaints about the conduct of a Member or co-opted member of the authority.

Following a selection process conducted by the Committee, Council in July 2013, had formally appointed Mr David Smith to the position of Standards Committee Independent Person for a 3 year period to July 2016.

Members now considered a recommendation to Council for the appointment of an independent person for the three year period from July 2016 and considered Mr Smith to be a fit and proper person to continue in that role.

RESOLVED: That Council be recommended to extend the period of appointment of Mr David Smith as Independent Person for a further three years to June 2019.

The meeting, which began at 7pm, concluded at 7.10pm.