Agenda item

The Committee is asked to note a report of the Town Clerk in respect of a decision taken under Delegated Authority (in accordance with Standing Order No. 41(b)) since the last meeting.

The Committee noted a report of the Town Clerk in respect of a decision that was taken under delegated authority (in accordance with Standing Order No. 41 (b)) since the last meeting in February 2013 and which concerned guidance for Members on the registration of gifts and hospitality.

Some Members of the Committee expressed concern that there was no formal scrutiny of those items of gifts and hospitality that were registered and no mechanisms existed, either via or on behalf of the Committee, to prevent either non-compliance or inappropriate acceptance of gifts and/or hospitality.  The Comptroller and City Solicitor reminded the Committee that there was no statutory requirement for the registration arrangement and that whilst a light touch approach had been adopted by the Committee, more rigorous rules could be introduced via the Court, if this was deemed to be necessary.  The Committee felt that as the regime was still in its infancy, the situation should be reviewed after 6 months.  Consequently, the outcome of a review of registered gifts and hospitality between April and October 2013 should be submitted to the Committee’s next meeting for consideration.  With immediate effect, the guidance to Members on registering gifts and hospitality would be revised to reflect a recommended 28 day timescale for registering gifts and hospitality, and all Members advised accordingly. 

It was felt that following the introduction of the new regime and the different elements of guidance that had been drafted and issued to Members, the Committee should, at its next meeting, review and, where necessary, revise the guidance in totality.

RESOLVED – That:-

(i) the report be noted;

(ii) the “Guidance to Members on registering gifts and hospitality” be revised to reflect a 28 day timescale for registration of gifts and hospitality, and all Members advised accordingly;

(iii) the Committee review and, where necessary, revise the guidance available to Members in respect of the Standards regime; and

(iv) following a review by the Town Clerk of registered gifts and hospitality between April and September 2013, a report be submitted to the September meeting of the Committee for consideration.