Agenda item

To elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30.

The Committee proceeded to elect a Deputy Chairman in accordance with Standing Order No. 30. 

A list of Members who had expressed an interest in and were eligible to stand was read by the Town Clerk and Randall Anderson being the only Member expressing willingness to serve was duly elected Deputy Chairman for the ensuing year.

VOTE OF THANKS

Proposed by Barbara Newman;

Seconded unanimously;

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY: That the Members of the Standards Committee wish to place on record their sincere appreciation to

ANN HOLMES

for the courteous, enthusiastic and good-humoured manner in which she has carried out the duties of Chairman of this Committee since May 2019 and the leadership that she has shown in steering it through a significant period of change over the past year.

ANN’S year as Chairman saw much change and began with the appointment of seven new Committee Members. During her Chairmanship, the independent element of the work of the Committee and the wider Standards regime was also strengthened with a move to appoint a total of five as opposed to four Co-opted Members and, more recently, four instead of three Independent Persons – moves supported by the Court of Common Council.

MORE widely reported, was Ann’s overseeing of further revisions to the City Corporation’s Dispensations Policy and Guidance, with a view to providing an enhanced level of consistency and strengthening rules around dispensations to speak and vote. This was an emotive and complex matter and the new requirements came into effect as of January 2020 following thorough consultation and, ultimately, consideration of the views of Leading Counsel on the matter.

ANOTHER key area of the Committee’s work under Ann has been its consideration of the recommendations arising from the Review of Local Government Ethical Standards by the Committee on Standards in Public Life – perhaps the most significant national event regarding Standards since the introduction of the Localism Act 2011. Work around some of these recommendations is still ongoing with a number of them requiring changes to primary legislation. However, Ann has been instrumental in terms of encouraging the progression of those issues where the City Corporation is able to act such as the introduction of legal indemnity to Independent Persons and the consideration of fixed terms of office for Independent Persons going forward . 

IN taking their leave of their Chairman, her colleagues wish to convey to Ann their thanks for her dedication, resilience and good sense, for the contribution she has made to their deliberations and their best wishes for the future.

FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Town Clerk be authorised to make arrangements for the resolution to be presented in a manner agreeable to the past Chairman.