PURPOSE

1. To review the process for the appointment to the independent vacancies on the Standards Committee.

BACKGROUND

2. There are currently 2 vacancies on the Committee for Independent Members of the public.

3. In the past the process has been:

a. Placement of adverts in local press (as at appendix a)

b. A press release that has usually ensured some coverage of the vacancy in the press

c. All applicants are shortlisted by the Deputy Monitoring Officers against the person specification (appendix b)

d. All shortlisted candidates are interviewed by the Chairman of the Committee, the Monitoring Officer and a Deputy Monitoring Officer

e. Candidates recommended for appointment meet the Leader of the Council

f. The Leader of the Council formally recommends to Council the appointment of successful candidates for the live of this Council (May 2009)

4. This process has had a mixed response in the past – sometimes an excellent number and range of applicants and at other times very few.

5. The one specific amendment that will need to be made to the above is to ensure that the Interim Director is involved in the interview process. The Committee may consider what, if any, changes they would like to see to this process.

RECOMMENDATIONS

6. That the recruitment process be commenced forthwith in accordance with the process above and to include any other recommendations made by the Committee.

Contact Point : Chris Mathews,

Telephone: 823280

Email: [email protected]

ALISON LOWTON

Interim Director of Legal and Democratic Services

APPENDIX A

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

VACANCIES FOR INDEPENDENT MEMBERS

The Isle of Wight Council Standards Committee has been established with seven Independent Members, two members from the Council and one member from the Parish and Town Councils, to ensure that all Councillors are aware of, and follow, their obligations under the new Codes of Conduct that apply to all Councils on the Isle of Wight. The Standards Committee has the power to determine some allegations against Elected Members, if any are made.

The Council is seeking to fill two vacancies for Independent Members that have arisen on the Standards Committee and applications are invited from individuals (or organisations on behalf of individuals) wishing to be considered for appointment to this Committee.

The Council is of the view that the Independent Members of the Standards Committee must be, and be seen to be, totally independent of the Council and therefore will not wish to appoint anybody who is an active member of any political party and who has been either a member or an officer of the Isle of Wight Council or any of its three predecessors.

A training session for the successful candidates will be held shortly after appointment.

Meetings of the Standards Committee are held every other month at County Hall, Newport commencing at 6.00 pm. It should also be noted that it is possible that day- time meetings may be called at short notice.

For further details please contact Alison Lowton (tel: 01983 823203 e-mail: [email protected]).

Application forms are available from ******** on 01983 82**** E-mail: ********@iow.gov.uk.

All completed application forms must be returned by Friday, ** **** 2007 to: Chris Mathews, Democratic Services Manager, Floor 5, County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD.

APPENDIX B

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Independent Member of Standards Committee

QUALIFICATIONS

1. Over 18 years of age.	Essential

2. Live or work on the Isle of Wight.	Essential

3. Not actively involved with a political party.	Essential

4. Prepared to declare and register financial and other interests	Essential

5. Never been (or related to or a close friend of) a member or officer of the IoW Council, IoW CC, MBC or SWBC or any Parish/Town Council or any other Local Authority.	Essential

6. Never been bankrupt or have unpaid or unexpired composition or arrangement with creditors.	Essential

7. Never been convicted of a criminal offence leading to a three month (or longer) prison sentence.	Essential

8. Experience of participating in committee or similar meetings.	Desirable

9. Experience of maintaining standards and ethics in the public or private sector.	Desirable

10. Knowledge of ethical and propriety issues.	Desirable

11. Knowledge of how local government works	Desirable

12. Ability to deal with issues with objectivity and impartiality.	Essential

13. Ability to deal with issues in a fair-minded and just manner.	Essential

14. Capacity for clear thinking and analysis.	Essential

15. Ability to act with sensitivity and diplomacy without compromising integrity.	Essential

16. Ability, where appropriate, to take an independent view which varies from that of other members of the committee.	Essential

17. Knowledge of administration or policy making other than in Local Government.	Essential