Issue - meetings

To provide an update on the work to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Members undertaken by the Council.

The Committee received a report providing an update on the work to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Members and also to consider a response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life to their open letter.

The Committee received an introduction from the Chief Legal Officer.

The following matters were raised by the Committee:

a)            Language: Members noted a number of discrepancies throughout the LGA Code of Conduct, including areas where more clarity could be sought. The Officer noted that comments regarding changes or amendments could be collected and considered at a future meeting of the Standards Committee.

An additional recommendation was proposed by Councillor Eber Kington, and seconded by Councillor Guy Robbins. This was to read:

(3)      To agree that Members would send comments on the draft LGA Code of Conduct to the Monitoring Officer; to be brought as a report to the Committee at a future Standards meeting.

Following consideration, it was resolved unanimously that the Committee:

(1)      Agreed to note the actions taken to promote and maintain high standards of Conduct by Members;

(2)      Considered a response to the ethical standards letter from the Committee on Standards in Public Life and delegate to the Monitoring Officer after consultation with the Chairman, to respond.

Following consideration, it was resolved with 7 Members voting for, 1 Member voting against and the Chairman not voting that the Committee:

(3)      Agreed that Members would send comments on the draft LGA Code of Conduct to the Monitoring Officer; to be brought as a report to the Committee at a future Standards meeting.