Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services

Further to Minute No. 121 of the meeting held on 12 April 2012, the Council considered the report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services which provided a further update on the impact of the Localism Act 2011 and the current standards regime.

The report contained the following appendices:

·              Local Government Association proposed Code of Conduct

·              Department of Communities and Local Government illustrative text for dealing with the conduct of Members and Co-opted Members

·              Sefton Council’s revised Code of Conduct which had been approved by Council

·              Proposed additional terms of reference for the Audit and Governance Committee

The report also provided details of the new Regulations relating to the disclosure of pecuniary interests by local authority members and co-opted members and the appointment of Independent Persons, which took effect on 1 July 2012; and the action to be taken by Officers on these issues.

The Council also considered a supplementary report by the Head of Corporate Legal Services which provided details of the recommendations of the Standards Committee and Audit and Governance Committee on the issues set out in the previous report and the details of the Independent Persons to be appointed to the Audit and Governance Committee.

It was moved by Councillor P. Dowd, seconded by Councillor Maher and

RESOLVED:            That

(1)       it be noted that the Code of Conduct as set out in Appendix C of the previous report, was adopted by the Council on 12 April 2012, subject to a further review of the administration of Standards in Sefton and the Code of Conduct being undertaken within six months of its introduction and being re-considered by the Council;

(2)            approval be given to a working party being drawn from the Audit and Governance Committee as opposed to the Standards Committee, as set out in Minute 121(6) of the Council meeting held on 12 April 2012.  (Paragraph 1.1.6 of the report refers);

(3)            approval be given to the appointment of Mr. J. Fraser and Mr. E. Davies as the Independent Persons in accordance with the transition regulations, for the period ending no later than 30 June 2013;

(4)       the additional Terms of Reference for Audit and Governance Committee as shown at Appendix D of the original report be approved; and

(5)            approval be given to the appointment of a Parish Council representative and substitute representative (appointed by the Sefton Area Partnership of Local Councils) as a co-opted member of the Audit and Governance Standards Sub Committees, to enable him/her to be involved in the consideration of any complaints submitted in respect of the conduct of any Parish Councillor within the Borough of Sefton.

Report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services

Further to Minute No. 4 of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 19 June 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services which provided a further update on the impact of the Localism Act 2011 and the current standards regime following the Council meeting on 12 April 2012.

The report contained the following appendices:

• Local Government Association proposed Code of Conduct
• Department of Communities and Local Government illustrative text for dealing with the conduct of Members and Co-opted Members
• Sefton Council’s revised Code of Conduct which had been approved by Council
• Proposed additional terms of reference for the Audit and Governance Committee

The report also provided details of the new Regulations relating to the disclosure of pecuniary interests by local authority members and co-opted members and the appointment of Independent Persons, which would take effect on 1 July 2012; and the action to be taken by Officers on these issues.

A discussion took place on the arrangements to be made for Members of the Council to briefed on the revised Code of Conduct prior to the Council Meeting on 5 July 2012, the briefing arrangements for Parish Council representatives, the on-line submission of disclosable pecuniary interests by Members of the Council, the problems that may be encountered within the Merseyside sub region if different Codes of Conduct are implemented by the local authorities and the arrangements to be made for all Members of the Committee to receive training on the procedures for assessing, reviewing and hearing complaints against Members of the Council under the new Code of Conduct.

RESOLVED: That:

(1)       the report be noted;

(2)       it be noted that a further review and research would be undertaken of   the administration of the Standards Regime and the Code of Conduct       within the current municipal year and be    submitted to this Committee     and the Council for consideration;

(3)       the Council be recommended to approve the additional terms of          reference for this Committee as set out in Appendix D of the report;            and

(4)       the Council be recommended to give approval to the appointment of a            Parish Council representative and substitute representative         (appointed by the Sefton Area Partnership Of Local Councils) as a co-     opted member of the Audit and Governance Standards Sub      Committees, to enable him/her to be involved in the consideration of        any complaints submitted in respect of the conduct of any Parish             Councillor within the Borough of Sefton.

Report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services

Further to Minute No. 14 of the meeting held on 13 March 2012, the Committee considered the report of the Head of Corporate Legal Services which provided a further update on the impact of the Localism Act 2011 and the current standards regime following the Council meeting on 12 April 2012. The report contained the following appendices:

• Local Government Association proposed Code of Conduct
• Department of Communities and Local Government illustrative text for dealing with the conduct of Members and Co-opted Members
• Sefton Council’s revised Code of Conduct which had been approved by Council
• Proposed Terms of Reference for the Audit and Governance Committee

The report also provided details of the new Regulations relating to the disclosure of pecuniary interests by local authority members and co-opted members and the appointment of Independent Persons, which would take effect on 1 July 2012; and the action to be taken by Officers on these issues.

Members of the Committee expressed concern that a Parish Council representative had not been appointed as a co-opted member of the three Standards Sub Committees which would deal with complaints relating to the conduct of any Parish Councillors within the Borough of Sefton.

A discussion took place on the arrangements to be made for Members of the Council to briefed on the revised Code of Conduct prior to the Council Meeting on 5 July 2012, the briefing arrangements for Parish Council representatives, the on-line submission of disclosable pecuniary interests by Members of the Council and the problems that may be encountered within the Merseyside sub region if different Codes of Conduct are implemented by the local authorities.

RESOLVED: That:

(1)       the report be noted;

(2)       the Council be requested to give approval to the appointment of a        Parish Council Representative and Substitute Representative        (appointed by the Sefton Area Partnership Of Local Councils) as a Co-            opted Member of the Audit and Governance Standards Sub      Committees, to enable him/her to be involved in the consideration of       any complaints submitted in respect of the conduct of any Parish             Councillor within the Borough of Sefton; and

(3)       the Audit and Governance Committee be requested to give due regard           to the Codes of Conduct implemented by other Merseyside local     authorities and joint authorities in due course.