Agenda item

MEMBER DEVELOPMENT AND STANDARDS SUB COMMITTEE

Friday, 21 July 2023

NOT FOR PUBLICATION

By virtue of paragraphs 1 & 3of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

10.      Independent Review

The Sub-Committee considered a report of the Town Clerk which proposed an independent review of Member Behaviour, to be conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA).

Members were made aware of the background and the desire to conduct an independent review of Member behaviour, following which they expressed support for the proposal. However, in discussing the specifics of the review, it was felt that the proposed timings (and therefore associated cost provisions) might be insufficient to support a fully effective review. Echoing the comments made, the Chief Commoner, in the Chair, suggested that an all-Member survey, in addition to the proposed one-to-one interviews, might add substance to the findings.

Reference was also made to the need for an agreed position in respect of what acceptable behaviour looked like in practice, and the recent work undertaken in this regard by Eamon Mullally. With Mr Mullally’s consent, it was felt that this document should be provided to the Reviewer to help inform their detailed methodology.

RESOLVED: That Members:-

1.      Note the information in the report and approve the proposal for the LGA to conduct an independent review of Member behaviour;

1.          Authorise the Town Clerk to make a request for such funding as may be required from the Policy and Resources Contingency Fund for this purpose;

2.          Approve the suggested timetable for delivery (outlined in Appendix 1), with the Town Clerk authorised to agree such changes as may be required.

12.      Questions on matters relating to the work of the committee

The Chair discussed one matter relating to the work of the Committee.

The Chair provided some feedback received following the recent LGA training  “attending a successful meeting”.  It was felt that the facilitator had paid too much attention to the first part of the session, leaving insufficient time to the remainder of the session. In addition, it was felt that some of the content had been somewhat basic and not all experiences had been recognised and catered to.

In response to a query, it was advised that the facilitator had provided feedback to officers that they had not anticipated the high levels of engagement at the earlier part of the session and had wanted to allow delegates to share their experiences before moving on; however, with hindsight, better management of this aspect might have been conducive to a more effective session. Officers added that the feedback had been helpful in identifying the need to establish Members’ objectives and expectations of sessions in advance of scoping future sessions with providers.

13.      Any other business that the chairman considers urgent and which the committee agree should be considered whilst the public are excluded

There was no urgent business.

The meeting ended at 10.32am

Contact Officer: June Haynes, Member Services Officer

june.haynes@cityoflondon.gov.uk