Agenda item

Standards Committee

To receive a report presenting the findings of an independent review of the arrangements currently in place for addressing matters connected with the conduct of Members under the Localism Act 2011.

Minutes:

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

 

(Oliver Arthur Wynlayne Lodge)

16 December 2016

Independent Review of the City of London Corporation’s Standards Regime

On 21 July 2016, the Standards Committee advised the Court of its intention to commission an independent, broadly-based review of the arrangements currently in place for addressing matters connected with the conduct of Members (including co-opted Members) under the Localism Act 2011, with particular focus on the Complaints Procedure (alleged breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct).

 

The choice of the individual to undertake the review was determined by the Town Clerk and Mr Charles Bourne QC of 11 King’s Bench Walk was subsequently appointed to carry out the task.

 

The report detailing Mr Bourne’s findings, together with his recommendations, was now presented to the Court of Common Council for information, at this stage. It was recommended that the Court note the report and also note that the Standards Committee would consider Mr Bourne’s report in detail and report back to the Court during 2017 as to how the various recommendations might best be progressed and implemented, as appropriate.

 

A Member spoke to suggest that it might be more appropriate for the experience and input of the wider Court to be involved in the consideration of Mr Bourne’s report, rather than this matter being referred to the Standards Committee. He proposed that a panel of senior Members be appointed instead, who might select a number of Members from the Court to serve on a Working Party with power to report back to the Court. The following amendment was proposed:

 

Amendment – That a Panel be established by resolution of this Court today comprising the Chairman of the Standards Committee, the Chairman of the Policy & Resources Committee, the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen, and the Chief Commoner, with power to act and to appoint a Working Party to report to this Court as soon as is practicable during this year on how the various recommendations in Mr Bourne’s report might be progressed and implemented, as appropriate.

 

In seconding the Amendment, a Member asked that the Working Party also consider the composition of the Standards committee as part of its review, particularly in relation to the role of independent Members and the continued need for Co-opted Members.

 

In response to a question concerning outstanding queries raised at Members’ meetings on this issue which had not been addressed in the report, the Chairman agreed to follow up on this issue and provide responses to the relevant Members where possible.

 

Upon the amendment being put, the Lord Mayor declared it to be carried.

 

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

 

Resolved – That a Panel be established comprising the Chairman of the Standards Committee, the Chairman of the Policy and Resources Committee, the Chairman of the General Purposes Committee of Aldermen, and the Chief Commoner, with power to act and to appoint a Working Party to report to the Court as soon as is practicable during this year on how the various recommendations in Mr Bourne’s report might be progressed and implemented as appropriate.

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