Agenda item

Standards Committee- Terms of Reference and Frequency of Meetings

A report of the Town Clerk seeking the Committee’s views in respect of its existing terms of reference (Appendix 1), the terms of reference of its sub-committees (Appendix 2); and its future meeting arrangements, ahead of submission to the Court of Common Council on 21st April 2016.

 

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk concerning its Terms of Reference, the terms of reference of its sub committees and its frequency of meetings ahead of submission of the White Paper to the Court of Common Council on 21st April 2016.

 

The Deputy Chairman disagreed with the fact that there continued to be a dual measure of service for Standards Committee Members. He suggested that this be amended to read “None of the appointed shall serve on the Committee for more than eight years in total”. The Committee unanimously agreed with this amendment.

 

With reference to terms of reference of the Hearing Sub Committee, the Deputy Chairman stated that it seemed wrong to suggest that the Sub Committee could ‘impose’ any sanctions given that, if removal of a Member from a particular committee or committees was decided upon then a recommendation would have to be made to the relevant appointing body in each case. The Comptroller and City Solicitor suggested that this could be amended to read “….it may take any one or a combination of the following actions…”. The Committee suggested that approval of the final wording of this paragraph be delegated to the Town Clerk and Comptroller and City Solicitor in consultation with the Chairman and Deputy Chairman.

 

The Chairman highlighted that both Mr Challis and Mr Hudson would be up for re-appointment to the Committee in April 2016.

 

RESOLVED – That:

 

(a)        Members approve the Standards Committee’s Terms of Reference for submission to          the Court of Common Council on 21st April 2016 subject to the amendment referred       to above regarding the maximum length of service for Standards Committee        members;

 

(b)        Members agree that the Standards Committee continue to meet three times per     annum; and

 

(c)        Members note the scheduled meeting dates for the remainder of 2016 and 2017.

 

Supporting documents: