Agenda item

Joint report of the Town Clerk and the Comptroller & City Solicitor.

The Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and the Comptroller & City Solicitor in relation to revised Guidance to Members regarding the Code of Conduct.

The Chairman highlighted that the revised guidance document had all changes and amendments highlighted for ease of reference.

The Committee went through the proposed changes/comments within the document and the following points were made:

·     At paragraph 2, it was agreed that ‘Rather’ replace ‘Instead’;

·     The date referred to within paragraphs 17 and 19 be removed;

·     Paragraph 19 to read ‘meets or exceeds’

·     Under paragraph 19, it was agreed that a dedicated email address be set up for Members to notify Officers of any amendments/updates to their existing declarations. The Town Clerk undertook to progress this;

·     Under paragraph 20, bullet point one, it was recognised that an approximate value was not required under the Code and was often difficult to estimate. It was therefore agreed that wording referring to this be removed from the Guidance;

·     Amendments at paragraph 21 were agreed as set out;

·     It was agreed that the following wording be added to the first bullet point at paragraph 22 …”where the Chairman, Managing Director or Principal is the host. Invitations from the London Symphony Orchestra or the Royal Shakespeare Company for example should be declared;

·        Amendments at paragraph 25 were agreed as set out;

·     Amendments at paragraph 27 were agreed as set out;

·     It was suggested that officers clarify, under paragraph 28, that this was by virtue of an individual’s relationship to the Member;

·     Under paragraph 31, it was suggested that this should also refer to the fact that Members may also have an obligation to inform their employer where private activities might cross over with their activities as a Member;

RESOLVED – That, Members of the Standards Committee approve the revised Guidance to Members so this can be re-circulated to all Members of the Court of Common Council for information.