Agenda item

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 23^rd April 2015.

Members considered a report of the Town Clerk relative to the terms of reference of the Standards Committee and its sub committees and the Committee’s frequency of meetings, ahead of submission to the Court of Common Council on 23^rd April 2015 and the start of the new municipal year.

It was noted that the terms of reference of the Dispensations Sub (Standards) Committee had not been included in the accompanying appendix to the report but were those as set out on page 45 (Item 8). 

It was queried why the membership of the various sub committees was not shown in the accompanying appendix.  The Town Clerk explained that this information was not normally contained in the terms of reference, but confirmed that in each case the membership was three elected Members of the Standards Committee and one non-voting Co-opted Member.  It was noted that the Assessment, Hearing and Appeal Sub Committees were also required to take into account the views of an Independent Person.  It was agreed that the complaints procedure should be brought back to the next meeting of the Standards Committee in order to review the arrangements.  One of the Independent Persons present queried why they did not have a similar role in relation to the Dispensations Sub Committee and was advised that this was not provided for under the Localism Act 2011.  It was agreed that further consideration be given to the provision of training to Members in respect of assessment, hearing and appeals proceedings. 

In respect of the existing terms of reference and the format of the White Paper (which would be submitted to the Court of Common Council on 23rd April 2015), it was agreed that the documentation should be consistent when referring to Co-opted Members such that “Co-opted Member” be used rather than “external representatives” or “non-Common Council Members”.  Reference should also be made where appropriate to “Co-opted Members of the City of London Corporation’s Committees and Boards” rather than “Co-opted Members of the City of London Corporation”.  Under paragraph (f) in Appendix 1 it should be made clear that these functions would be carried out by the appropriate sub-committee of the Standards Committee.  It was further agreed that, in respect of the term of office, this should state: “None of the appointed shall serve on the Committee for more than a maximum of eight years in total.”

Resolved:- That –

(i) the Terms of Reference of the Standards Committee be amended to ensure consistency when referring to Co-opted Members such that “Co-opted Member” be used rather than “external representatives” or “non-Common Council Members” and that co-option be linked to a Committee or Board;

(ii) the Terms of Reference of the Standards Committee be further amended to reflect the fact that the functions under paragraph (f) would be carried out by the appropriate sub-committee of the Standards Committee;

(iii) in respect of the term of office this should state: “None of the appointed shall serve on the Committee for more than a maximum of eight years in total.”;

(iv) the scheduled meeting dates for the remainder of 2015 and 2016 be noted;

(v) the complaints procedure be reviewed at the next meeting of the Standards Committee; and

(vi) further consideration be given to the provision of training to Members of the Standards Committee in respect of assessment, hearing and appeals proceedings.