Agenda item

A report of the Town Clerk relative to the Standards Committee’s terms of reference and the frequency of meetings.  The Committee is asked to note amendments to the terms of reference in respect of politically restricted posts, to receive meeting dates for the remainder of 2013; and to approve the meeting dates for 2014. 

A report of the Town Clerk relative to the Standards Committee’s terms of reference, the frequency of meetings and future meeting dates was considered by the Committee.

In respect of an amendment to the Committee’s terms of reference at paragraph g, it was noted that as the legal position in respect of politically restricted posts had changed following the introduction of the Localism Act 2011, the terms of reference should no longer include reference to such matters.  Consequently, paragraph g had been deleted, as set out in the revised terms of reference at Appendix 2 of the report. 

The Committee was advised that recruitment to the existing vacancy for a non-Common Council Member would commence ahead of the recess.  Following a brief discussion it was noted that as the terms of office for a number of the non-Common Council Members would come to an end over the coming months and as an existing vacancy was to be advertised, some thought should be given to identifying suitable appointments for future vacancies. 

In respect of the terms of office, it was felt that the terms of reference should be amended to clarify that the maximum length of service by any Member was eight years in total.

In respect of the 8th November 2013 meeting of the Committee, it was agreed that whilst the Admission of the Lord Mayor (Silent Ceremony) would take place on this date, the scheduled meeting of the Committee could go ahead at 11am.    In respect of the proposed 2014 meeting dates, it was suggested that the September 2014 meeting date be pushed back until later in the autumn.  The confirmed meeting dates would be circulated to all Members of the Committee in due course.

RESOLVED – That:-

(i) the Committee note the amendments to the terms of reference in respect of politically restricted posts;

(ii) the Committee note the future 2013 meeting dates;

(iii) the Committee approve the proposed 2014 meeting dates subject to the September 2014 meeting being pushed back to October 2014; and

(iv) the Standards Committee’s terms of reference be amended to confirm that the maximum length of service by any Member be eight years in total.