Agenda item

To consider proposals in relation to the Standards Regime and Lord Lisvane’s recommendations thereon through his review of the City Corporation’s governance arrangements.

POLICY AND RESOURCES COMMITTEE

(Deputy Catherine McGuinness)

10 December 2020

Governance Review: Standards Regime

The Court was recommended to approve a series of proposals relating to the establishment of a new Standards regime and associated implications in respect of other existing arrangements.

The Chair spoke to introduce the proposals, noting they emerged from extensive engagement with Members in response to Lord Lisvane’s review. In response to questions, she expressed her personal agreement that the principle of increased transparency should extend to co-optees and Chief Officers as well as Members, and clarified that the involvement of Members at the Appeal Stage was intended to assist the Panel through the provision of contextual information. The Chair also stressed the importance of flexibility in being able to refine and improve arrangements as required once the new system was in place.

Resolved - That:-

1.    The proposals in relation to Standards made by Lord Lisvane in Section 8 of his Review (Appendix 1) be noted and the recommendations of the Policy and Resources Committee thereon, as set out in paragraphs 20-30 of this report, be approved.

2.    The Town Clerk be authorised to take such actions as are required to give effect to the decisions taken by this Court and facilitate their implementation.