Meeting documents

Date: Monday 21 June 2010
Time: 6:00pm
Place: Shimkent Room, Daneshill House, Stevenage
Contact:  Guy Moody
Tel: 01438 242203

Agenda

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PART I

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
2. TERMS OF REFERENCE
   To note the terms of reference of the Committee as follows:
   2.1 To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Councillors and Co-opted Members.
   2.2 To assist Councillors and Co-opted Members to observe the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.3 To advise the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.4 To monitor the operation of the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.5 To advise, train or arrange to train Councillors and Co-opted Members on matters relating to the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.6 Responsibility for granting dispensations to Councillors and Co-opted Members from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.7 Responsibility for the granting and supervision of exemption from politically restricted posts as provided in Section 202 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
   2.8 To receive allegations that a Member or Co-opted Member (or former Member or Co-opted Member) has failed, or may have failed, to comply with the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.9 To process such an allegation described in 2.8 above in the manner set out in Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000 as amended by Chapter 1 of Part 10 of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.
   2.10 To deal with any matters referred from the Council or any other body.
   2.11 To consider reports and other communications from external and internal audit relating to good governance and the ethical standards of this Authority and, without any limitation on the statutory powers of the Standards Committee, making recommendations to the Executive or a Committee of the Council following such consideration.
   2.12 To review aspects of the Constitution relating to other terms of reference for this Committee including matters covered by the ethical governance audit.
   2.13 To receive and consider general reports and communications from the Ombudsman and, at the discretion of the Committee, reporting and making recommendations to the appropriate body.
   2.14 To review and make recommendations on protocols and employment contract conditions dealing with ethical standards for officers' behaviour.
   2.15 To consider and make recommendations as appropriate on all protocols affecting the conduct of Members and officers.
   2.16 To review the Register of Members' Interests at such times and in such a manner as the Committee feels appropriate.
   2.17 Any other functions allocated to Standards Committees under any enactment from time to time.
   2.18 Assessment Sub-Committee
   Quorum 3 (including an Independent Member)
   Terms of Reference -
   To make an initial assessment of written allegations that Members have failed or may have failed to comply with the Members' Code of Conduct.
   2.19 Review Sub-Committee
   Quorum 3 (including an Independent Member)
   Terms of Reference
   On request, to review the decision on an initial assessment by the Assessment Sub-Committee.  (The Review Sub-Committee must comprise different Members to that which made the initial assessment).
   2.20 Hearing and Consideration Sub-Committee
   Quorum 3 (including an Independent Member)
   Terms of Reference:
   To receive and consider an investigative report of the Monitoring Officer or an Ethical Standards Officer of the Standards Board for England.
3. MINUTES - 15 JULY 2009
   To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2009.
   Minutes attached
4. RECENTRALISATION AND LOCALISM BILL
   To receive a presentation from the Monitoring Officer on the future of the Standards Board.
5. ANNUAL DECLARATION OF MEMBERS' INTERESTS
   To consider a review of the Register of Members' Interests (and Registration of Gifts and Hospitality)
   Report attached
6. URGENT PART I BUSINESS
   To consider any Part I business accepted by the Chair as urgent.
7. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC (IF REQUIRED)
   To consider the following motions:
   1. That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as described in paragraphs 1-7 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act as amended by SI 2006 No.88.
   2. That Members consider the reasons for the following reports being in Part II and determine whether or not maintaining the exemption from disclosure of the information contained therein outweighs the public interest in disclosure.

PART II

8. URGENT PART II BUSINESS
   To consider any Part II business accepted by the Chair as urgent.