Agenda item - Code of Conduct for Members - Granting of Dispensation

Report of the Head of Law & Monitoring Officer (copy attached).

61.1    The Committee considered the report of the Monitoring Officer, which recommended granting the Monitoring Officer delegated power to grant dispensations under the Code of Conduct for Members. The report was presented by a Senior Lawyer.

61.2      Councillor Summers asked for clarification on when a dispensation would be granted to Members. The Monitoring Officer said that granting dispensation would be exceptional, but there were certain circumstances where it could be necessary. For example if a large number of Members declared an interest in an item, ordinarily requiring them  to leave the meeting, it may be necessary to grant them a dispensation to avoid an adverse impact on the political balance. Councillor Littman said he would agree the recommendation, but was concerned that the Monitoring Officer would, based on the current wording of the Code of Conduct, be advising himself on any request for dispensation. The Monitoring Officer stated that, subject to Committee agreeing the recommendation, he would re-draft the relevant part of the Code to reflect the new arrangements, and submit the revision to Council for approval.

61.3      Councillor A Norman thanked officers for the report, and agreed that it  was important to have clarity on this issue.

61.4      RESOLVED: That the Committee agreed to grant delegated power to the Monitoring Officer to grant dispensations under the Code of Conduct for Members, subject to consultation, where reasonably practicable, with the Chair of Audit & Standards Committee or the Independent Person.