17.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 October 2003 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.
18.
ELECTION
OF VICE CHAIRMAN
RESOLVED :
THAT Mr D L Watson be elected Vice Chairman
of the Committee.
19.
ANNUAL
REPORT OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE
The Committee considered a draft of its annual report for the year to February 2004. The Chairman circulated at the meeting a revised introduction that would replace the existing wording. A number of minor grammatical and typographical changes to the draft were highlighted.
RESOLVED :
THAT subject to the revised wording for the Introduction, as circulated at the meeting, and a number of grammatical and typographical changes the draft Annual Report as attached to the agenda be approved for circulation to all members of the Council.
20. PROGRESS ON ETHICAL AUDIT
The Monitoring Officer reported orally that unfortunately whilst progress has been made on the issue of the questionnaire for the Ethical Audit this had still not been issued owing to technical difficulties on the preparation of a web based questionnaire and the extract of a representative sample of the staff. However these issues would be resolved shortly and the questionnaire should be circulated within the next two weeks.
RESOLVED :
THAT the position be noted.
21. SECTION 66 PROCEDURES
The Committee considered a draft of the revised procedures for the Committee for when hearing complaints relating to the local codes or matters referred to the Committee by an Ethical Standards Officer. The Committee welcomed the clarity of the procedures however suggested that paragraphs should be added to define the term “Proper Officer” and another to detail the criteria used, and how the costs will be found, before the Monitoring Officer appoints an external investigator. A number of grammatical and typographical changes were also highlighted.
RESOLVED :
THAT subject to the addition of paragraphs to define the term “Proper Officer” and another to detail the criteria used, and how the costs will be found, before the Monitoring Officer appoints an external investigator and a number of detailed grammatical and typographical changes the procedures be adopted for use by the Committee.
22. REVIEW OF PUBLICATION OF MEMBERS ATTENDANCE RECORDS
The Monitoring Officer presented a report suggesting the methodology for reviewing the current arrangements for the publication of Members Attendance Records. The first of such records had been published in December 2003 and had been reported in the local press – however concern was expressed that the press reported the “Headline” figures of number of attendances at meetings and this did not necessarily reflect the true work of any particular member. Whilst the principle of having a method whereby members of the public could understand the work that Members undertake it was not clear if the current arrangements were achieving this. A lengthy discussion ensued on how this might be achieved and included suggestions relating the start time of the Council meetings although it was agreed that this was outside the remit of the Committee and a matter purely for the Council.
RESOLVED :
THAT the publication of the Members Attendance Figures be reviewed in line with the proposal detailed in the report and that the current arrangements remain for the next publication date which will cover the period 1 November 2003 to 30 April 2004.
23. ISSUES RAISED WITH THE STANDARDS BOARD ON BEHALF OF THE ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL
The Chairman explained the background on an issue that he had raised with the Standards Board on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council relating to Board’s current procedures when they initially receive a complaint and expressing the view that this seemed to be contrary to the rules of natural justice. Although an explanation had been received from the Standards Board it had been felt that this was insufficient and the point was pressed. The Board had now replied confirming that they were actively reviewing their current procedures.
RESOLVED :
THAT the position be noted.
24. INDEPENDENT MEMBERS FORUM – 11 MARCH 2004
The Committee noted that the first meeting of the Independent Members Forum for this area had been arranged for 11 March 2004 at Southampton – all Independent Members were welcome to attend.
RESOLVED :
THAT the position be noted.
25. STANDARDS BOARD BULLETINS 15 AND 16
The Chairman drew the attention of the Committee to a number of issues raised in Standards Board Bulleting 15 and 16.
26. REMUNERATION OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS
The Independent Members discussed the recent decision of the Isle of Wight Council to offer them a payment of £250 per year for their work. A number of Independent Members felt that this would compromise their independence whilst others felt that this would not be the case. It was noted that it was a matter for each individual as to whether they accepted the payment or not.
27. WORK PROGRAMME FOR THE COMING YEAR
The Committee considered its work programme for 2004 onwards and agreed some changes as reflected below.
RESOLVED :
THAT the dates of future meetings and the work programme of the Committee be as follows:
Meeting |
Agenda Item |
|
Wednesday 23 June 2004 |
· Methodology for review of ethics and probity in Parish/Town Council context. · Report on Ethical Audit of the Isle of Wight Council · Review of Publication of Members Attendances |
|
Tuesday 19 October 2004 |
· Report on the Review of ethics and probity in Parish/Town Council context. · Work Programme for the year 2005 |
|
February 2005 |
· To be determined. |
|
Standing items |
· Report on Standards Board activity including guidance; statistics; analysis; case reports. · The Committee’s Work Programme |
|
Other meetings as necessary |
· Allegations referred by the Standards Board for England and Wales for local determination. · Requests for dispensations. · Urgent ethical and probity issues as they arise. |
CHAIRMAN