Minutes of the meeting of 16 January 2006

Present:

• Councillors Burns Carroll A.Jones and Whitmore.
• Mr A. Wright - Independent Member
• Councillor O'Donovan Ringway Parish Council

ST/06/1 Chair

Decision

To appoint Councillor Burns as Chair of the meeting.

Councillor Burns - In the Chair

ST/06/2 Minutes

Decision

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2005.

ST/06/3 Standards of Conduct in English Local Government: The Future

The Committee considered a discussion paper; Standards of Conduct in English Local Government: The Future published by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on 15 December 2005 which incorporated and accepted the recommendations from the Standards Board for England's consultation on the review of the Code of Conduct.

The Committee was invited to consider making representations to ODPM by the closing date 31 January 2005.

A draft response prepared by the Solicitor addressing key concerns within the paper was circulated for consideration by the Committee.

Members noted the potential for the workload of the Committee to be significantly increased as a result of the proposed changes and the added responsibilities falling on independent members.

The need for further clarity regarding the role of local councilors as advocates for local constituents highlighted at previous meetings was reiterated by members. Members noted that the discussion paper proposed retaining the £25 threshold for the registration of gifts and hospitality which the Committee had previously recommended be raised to £50.

Decision

To note the proposals within the discussion paper: Standards of Conduct in English Local Government: The Future; to endorse the draft response proposed by the City Solicitor and to delegate to the City Solicitor authority to respond to the discussion paper reflecting the views of this Committee.

ST/06/4 Appointment of Independent Member to the Standards Committee

The Committee was invited to consider the arrangements in respect of the appointment of one of the independent members to the Standards Committee. The City Solicitor clarified issues raised by Members in the context of the Regulations governing the appointment of independent members.

Decision

1. To recommend that the Council extends Mr. Arthur Wright's term of office until such time as any appointment is approved by a majority of the members of the Authority.

2. To note that the public advertisement for the vacancy will be placed in the Manchester Evening News and Manchester Metro and to request the City Solicitor to consider additional advertising options.

3. To authorise the City Solicitor to make appropriate arrangements for the appointment of an independent member of the Committee based on the principles agreed by Standards Committee on the 17 November 2003

4. To appoint a Panel comprising the Monitoring Officer the Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor and Councillors Burns and A. Jones to consider applications received and to make recommendations to the Council in relation to the appointment to be made.

5. To authorise the City Solicitor to also make appropriate arrangements for the appointment of an independent member of the committee in respect of the post that will expire on 6 February 2007 based on the principles agreed by Standards Committee on 17 November 2003.

6. To refer these recommendations for consideration by the Constitutional and Nomination Committee on 1 February 2006.

(Mr Wright declared a prejudicial interest in this item and withdrew from the meeting during its consideration)

ST/06/5 Procedure for local determination of allegations of misconduct of Council Members following an investigation by the Monitoring Officer

A report of the City Solicitor was submitted informing the Standards Committee of proposed amendments to the Council's procedure for local determination of allegations of misconduct of Council members following an investigation by the Monitoring Officer.

Decision

To approve the amendments to the procedure and to authorise the City Solicitor to make any further minor adjustments that are deamed necessary or appropriate.

ST/06/6 Special Meeting

Decision

To convene a special meeting of the Committee on Wednesday 1 February at 9.00am to consider a report of the Monitoring Officer on the outcome of an investigation.

ST/06/7 Registers of Interest and Gifts and Hospitality

The Register of Interests and the Register of Gifts and Hospitality were submitted for examination by Members.

ST/06/8 North West Independent Members Forum

The Committee noted that Sir Alistair Graham Chairman of the Committee on Standards in Public Life was due to address the next meeting of the Forum to be held at Stockport Town Hall on 8th March 2006.