Issue - meetings

Report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report updating the Committee on the complaints received since the last meeting of the Standards Committee in February 2021. It was noted that 3 Code of Conduct complaints had been received, one complaint had been withdrawn by the complainant, the other two had not been accepted under the Code.

The Monitoring Officer advised where complaints were not accepted under the Code, the details had not been included as to do so would be misleading, and could be seen to misrepresent the nature of complaints received. In both cases the Independent Person had been consulted.

Members were advised that the Member Development Group continues to develop the Councillors training programme and that the Monitoring Officer is available to support this Group. The Committee were reminded that a second Motion training session is scheduled for 18 November.

In accordance with the Best Practice Principals adopted by Council, the Monitoring Officer introduced two new independent persons, Helen Richardson and Christopher Richards who have be appointed the position for a fixed two year period. The current independent person John Baggaley will continue in his role for a period of 12 months from September 2021 to support the transition.

It was RESOLVED that the Committee note and approve the report