Minutes of the meeting held on 15 January 2007

Present:

The Right Worshipful The Lord Mayor Councillor David Sandiford -

• In the Chair - Councillor Carroll.
• Mrs E. Carmichael and Mr J. A. Snadden - independent members
• Councillor O'Donovan Ringway Parish Council

ST/07/1 Minutes

Decision

To approve as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18 December 2006.

ST/07/2 Revision of the Code of Conduct for Members

The City Solicitor informed the Committee that the anticipated consultation draft on the Government's proposals regarding the revision of the Code of Conduct had not yet been published. She suggested that when it was available the consultation document should be circulated to all members of the Committee together with a draft response from the officers.

Members indicated that this was a reasonable way forward but if there were intractable or new issues not previously discussed arising from the consultation the Lord Mayor should convene a meeting to enable these to be considered.

ST/07/3 Raising the profile of ethical standards conduct and behaviour across the Council

The City Solicitor reported on a number of projects currently being undertaken in connection with the raising of the profile of ethical standards conduct and behaviour across the Council. The existing model code of conduct for members was currently being revised and a new code was due to be issued for consultation on 12 January 2007. The changes proposed would be communicated to members through a series of training sessions provided by the Council's Democratic Services section. A new model code of conduct for Council officers was expected to be issued shortly for consultation the details of which would be communicated to officers through a series of training sessions.

The Lord Mayor highlighted the reference to 'member development' and requested that the details of what was to be proposed in relation to this should be brought to a future meeting.

The City Solicitor advised the Committee that consideration was also being given to other areas of the Council's work in which members were increasingly involved specifically in relation to the relationship between the Council and other partner organisations where greater clarity was required about the roles and responsibilities of members.

The Committee noted that the proposed timetable was to some degree dependent on the implementation timetable for the new Code of Conduct but there were a number of items that could be progressed independently to that and before the end of the current financial year. Members emphasised the importance of being able to offer training to all Councillors in relation to those new elements emanating from the new code as soon as possible.

Decision.

To note the report and to request the City Solicitor to report back to the next meeting in relation to those 'non-Code' training issues that can be progressed at this stage without prejudice to later training events in relation to the Code itself.

ST/07/4 Local Government and public Involvement in Health Bill 2007

The Committee considered a report of the City Solicitor regarding the provisions relating to ethical standards in the Bill.

Discussion ensued in relation to proposals in Part 9 of the Bill that seek to extend the scope of the ethical framework beyond members' conduct in their official capacity. Members considered that the detailed provisions giving effect to this would need to be carefully scrutinized as whilst it was accepted that certain types of behaviour by members could reflect badly on the reputation of their local authority there needed to be an appropriate balance.

The Committee noted that the Bill also proposed that the Standards Committee should be chaired by an independent member.

Decision

To note the contents of the Bill in relation to ethical standards.

ST/07/5 Indemnities for Council members and officers

Further to the previous decision (Minute ST/06/26 refers) the Committee considered further requests for dispensations in connection with the consideration of proposals and decisions regarding implementation of the provisions of the Local Authorities (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order 2004

Decision

1. To grant dispensations to Councillors Curley Fairweather Firth Hackett and Ramsbottom in respect of consideration of all matters arising from the implementation of the provisions of the Local Authorities (Indemnities for Members and Officers) Order 2004 between 15 January and 20 December 2008.

2. The City Solicitor be authorised to ensure that the existence duration and nature of the dispensation is recorded in writing and kept in the Register of Interests established and maintained under Section 81(1) of the Local Government Act 2000