Agenda item - Review of the Code of Conduct for Members

Extract from the proceedings of the Audit & Standards Committee meeting held on the 15^th November, 2016 together with a report of the Head of Law & Monitoring Officer (copies attached).

52.1      Councillor A. Norman introduced the report which detailed a range of proposed amendments to the Code of Conduct for Members.  She stated that the proposals had been developed by a cross-party working group and were endorsed by the Audit & Standards Committee.  She hoped that Members would take these on board and that the changes would make it simpler for them in regard to their roles and responsibilities.  She noted that the proposed changes also gave a greater discretion to the Monitoring Officer in regard to standards complaints and investigations and clarified the position of Members, which she hoped they would find helpful.

52.2      Councillor Sykes welcomed the report and the revised code of conduct.

52.3      Councillor Moonan stated that the Code of Conduct was a very important document in regard to upholding public office.  She hoped that it would help to set the tone of debate, whereby there could be disagreement without people being disagreeable.  She welcomed the work of the cross-party working group and hoped that all Members would adhere to the revised scheme.

52.4      Councillor Robins welcomed the report and drew attention to the helpful flow-charts relating to declarations of interest and recommended the training courses put on by officers to all Members.

52.5      Councillor Page also welcomed the report and the work undertaken by the cross-party working group and noted that there had been a number of declarations of interest earlier in the meeting in relation to one particular item.  As such he hoped that the revised Code of Conduct took account of the nature of public service and the need for independence as part of the role in decision-making.

52.6      Councillor A. Norman noted the comments and thanked the contributors to the debate.  She stated that the changes were not intended to control Members but to make the process as simple as possible to ensure that Members could abide by the Code of Conduct.

52.7      The Mayor noted that the recommendations of the Audit & Standard Committee had been moved and put them to the vote, which was agreed.

52.8      RESOLVED:

(1)      That the draft revised Code of Conduct for Members referred by Audit and Standards Committee, be approved for implementation with immediate effect and;

(2)      That delegated authority be granted to the Monitoring Officer to take appropriate measures to implement the revised Code and to assist existing and new Members with understanding and applying it, including via training.