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Terms of Reference:
1.
Promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct
by Councillors in accordance with the duty contained in Section 27
of the Localism Act 2011.
2.
Assisting Councillors to observe the Members’
Code of Conduct.
3.
Advising the Council on the adoption or revision of
the Members’ Code of Conduct.
4.
Granting dispensations under Section 33 of the
Localism Act 2011 to Councillors from the requirements relating to
interests set out in the Members’ Code of Conduct.
5.
Making arrangements for investigating and
determining complaints regarding alleged breaches of the
Members’ Code of Conduct.
6.
Discharging, through a Hearings Panel, decisions
made following consideration of reports by an Investigating Officer
in connection with 5. above.
7.
Receiving requests for, and/or proposing, review of
the Constitution or parts thereof as necessary.
To make recommendations regarding:
1.
Significant revisions to the Constitution (subject
to other Policy Committees being able to make recommendations
direct to Council about proposed changes to their Terms of
Reference).
2.
The adoption and revision of the Members’ Code
of Conduct.
3.
Changes to the Committee’s Terms of
Reference.
4.
Other matters under the Committee’s
jurisdiction which, by virtue of statutory provision, must be
determined by full Council.
To Resolve:
The granting of dispensations in the following
circumstances (under Section 33 of the Localism Act 2011) to
Councillors from the requirements relating to interests set out in
the Members’ Code of Conduct:
a.
that without the dispensation, the representation of
Political Groups transacting the business would be so upset as to
alter the outcome of any vote on the matter;
b.
that dispensation is in the interests of persons
living in the authority’s area;
c.
it is otherwise considered appropriate to grant a
dispensation.
Delegation to Hearing Panels:
1.
Determination of complaints referred by an
Investigating Officer regarding alleged breaches of the
Members’ Code of Conduct.
2.
Such Panels shall comprise three Borough Councillors
serving on the Standards & Constitution Committee.
Delegation to Officers:
1. To the
Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Standards
& Constitution Committee, to grant dispensations in situations
where so many Members of the decision-making body have Disclosable
Pecuniary Interests in a matter that it would otherwise impede the
transaction of the business.
2. To the
Monitoring Officer and/or Deputy Monitoring Officer respectively
the power to determine matters in respect of the Code of Conduct
and arrangements for dealing with allegations of breach (following
consultation with the Independent Person where required) except for
those which are identified above as reserved for determination by
the Council, Committees or Hearings Panel.
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