Agenda and minutes

There were no urgent items.

Cllr. Fowler asked for more detail regarding the Planning Applications Scheme of Delegations (Min. 45) as he was not present at the meeting. Officers and members confirmed the discussion which took place.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 19 November 2021 be APPROVED as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

·         Disclosable Pecuniary Interest;

·         Other interests.

There were no declarations made.

Head of Democratic Services – Linden Vernon – introduced the report to members which gave an overview of the issues considered by the Standards Committee during 2021/21, including:-

·       Local Government Association – Model Member Code of Conduct;

·       Committee on Standards in Public Life – Ethical Standards Review;

·       Monitor complaints received regarding alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct;

·       Annual Letter received from the Local Government Ombudsman;

·       Member Development Annual Review.

Complaints were shown by comparison with High Peak Borough Council as follows:-

Members discussed the merits and otherwise of online and hybrid meetings, particularly the fact that those attending online were unable to vote under current legislation. Consultation was ongoing with regard to potential future change to legislation to allow voting in such situations. Members were advised that the sound system in the Council Chamber was due to be replaced, making the system more robust, further enabling such meetings to take place successfully.

RESOLVED – That the report be NOTED.

The Chair to move:-

"That pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that exempt information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100I (1) of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the paragraphs indicated."

RESOLVED:

That, pursuant to Section 100A(2) and (4) of the Local Government Act, 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings whereby it is likely that confidential information as defined in Section 100A (3) of the Act would be disclosed to the public in breach of the obligation of confidence or exempt information as defined in Section 100 I (1)  of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act would be disclosed to the public by virtue of the Paragraphs indicated.

Members considered the exempt minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2021.

Members considered a report on complaints made under the Code of Conduct in the period since the Committee last met.