Agenda item

To receive the annual report providing a summary of the Standards Committee’s activities over the year.

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

(Oliver Arthur Wynlayne Lodge)

13 May 2016

Standards Committee: Annual Report

The Standards Committee is required to monitor all complaints referred to it and to prepare an annual report on its activity for submission to the Court of Common Council. The Court was advised that two allegations of a breach of the Code of Conduct were made to the Committee during the course of 2015/16; one of which was not found to warrant assessment and one that progressed to a hearing and then an appeal.

Motion – That the report be referred back to the Standards Committee for further consideration.

Alderman Malins spoke against the report in relation to the reporting of a breach of the Code of Conduct and the manner in which the Hearing and Appeal had been conducted. Edward Lord reminded Members that the procedure for both the Hearing and Appeal Stages had been produced in consultation with the Monitoring Officer and that the Hearing and Appeal had been fully compliant with this protocol.

Edward Lord also made reference to Standing Order No.11(11) and a possible breach by Alderman Malins. The Town Clerk reminded all Members of the provisions of that Standing Order.

Several Members spoke to express the view that the level of detail within the report was excessive and not commensurate with the findings of the Appeal Sub-Committee, agreeing with the Motion that the report be withdrawn and a more proportionate report re-submitted.

Motion – That, in accordance with Standing Order 11(9), the Question be now put.

Upon the Question being put, the Lord Mayor declared the Motion to be carried. The Motion proposed by Alderman Malins and seconded by Sir Michael Snyder was therefore put forthwith.

Upon the Question being put, the Lord Mayor declared the Motion to be carried.

The Town Clerk also undertook to remove the report from the public website.

Resolved – That the report be referred back to the Standards Committee for further consideration.