Issue - meetings

The report of the Monitoring Officer is attached

The Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance, Transformation and Governance, Councillor Virdi presented the report of the Monitoring Officer, outlining appointment of Independent Persons to the Standards Committee. 

Councillor Virdi advised that it was a requirement of the Localism Act 2011 that the Council should have access to at least one Independent Person to consult on Member Code of Conduct matters, in consultation with the Monitoring Officer. Councillor Virdi advised that given the uncertainties around Local Government Reorganisation, it was not considered cost effective to commence a recruitment process to appoint new individuals, and it was recommended that the appointment of the two current Independent Persons be extended as detailed in the report.

Councillor Simms seconded the recommendation and reserved the right to speak.

Councillor J Walker thanked the two current Independent Persons for their professionalism over the past two years and fully endorsed the recommendation.

It was RESOLVED that the appointment of Mr Christopher Richards and Ms Helen Richardson as its Independent Persons for standards matters under Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011 be extended for a period of two years, with authority for the Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair of the Standards Committee, to extend the appointment up to an additional two years.