Agenda and minutes

To be notified of the appointment of any Substitute Members.

There were no substitute members in attendance.

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

You are also invited to disclose any dispensations in relation to any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Please complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

There were no declarations or dispensations reported.

To confirm the minutes of the Standards Committee meeting held on 30 November 2023.

RESOLVED – that the minutes of the Standards Committee meeting held on 30 November 2023 be agreed.

Matters Arising

It was requested that for the future Social Media Training for members include advice on what can and can’t be posted.  It was agreed that officers would discuss with the communications team the it was highlighted that the new training will include areas for Councillors to consider such as Purpose, Context and Consequences.

To introduce the Standards Committee Draft Annual Report for 2023-24 for consideration by the Committee prior to its finalisation and submission to the Annual Council meeting on 16 May 2024.

The Committee received the Draft Annual Report for 2023/24 Standards Committee prior to its submission to the Annual Council meeting on 16 May 2024.

The report expresses thanks to the Independent member for their support during the year which is invaluable.

It was noted that currently there is one outstanding Complaints Assessment and a meeting is arranged for this to be undertaken.  Seven requests for reviews of the Monitoring Officers decision have been requested and undertaken and in all cases the original decision was found to be sound.

Three complaints have been investigated and brought to Standards Sub Committee, two of which were found to have been subject to a breach of the Code of Conduct and one of which it was confirmed to have not breached the Code of Conduct.

With regards to the Work Programme it had been planned to have guests attend the Committee but that has not been possible, it was felt that report was a fair reflection of the work of the committee.

It was noted that the new work programme for the 2024/25 year will be considered at the first meeting of the year and any ideas for consideration on the work programme would be welcomed.

RESOLVED – that 1) the consideration of the Report by the Committee be noted; 2) the Monitoring Officer in consultation with the Chair be authorised to finalise the report, prior to its submission to the Annual Council meeting to be held on 16 May 2024.