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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Cabinet/Committee Room, 52 Derby Street, Ormskirk L39 2DF. View directions

Items
No. Item

35.

APOLOGIES

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Davis.

36.

MEMBERSHIP OF THE COMMITTEE

To be apprised of any changes to the membership of the Committee in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.  This rule should only apply to the Standards Committee in exceptional circumstances and if the nominated substitute has been appropriately trained.

Minutes:

There were no changes to membership of the Committee.

37.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST pdf icon PDF 299 KB

If a member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Borough Solicitor in advance of the meeting.  (For the assistance of members a checklist for use in considering their position on any particular item is included at the end of this agenda sheet.)

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

38.

URGENT BUSINESS, IF ANY, INTRODUCED BY THE CHAIRMAN

Note:  No other business is permitted unless, by reason of special circumstances, which shall be specified at the meeting, the Chairman is of the opinion that the item(s) should be considered as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There were no items of urgent business.

39.

PUBLIC SPEAKING pdf icon PDF 271 KB

Residents of West Lancashire, on giving notice, may address the meeting to make representations on any item on the agenda except where the public and press are to be excluded during consideration of the item.  The deadline for submission is 5.00pm on Thursday 16 March 2017.  A copy of the public speaking protocol and form to be completed is attached.

 

Additional documents:

Minutes:

There were no items under this heading.

40.

MINUTES pdf icon PDF 280 KB

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2016.

Minutes:

RESOLVED:  That the minutes of the Standards Committee held on 20 September 2016 be received as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

41.

WHISTLEBLOWING CODE

To receive an update from the Borough Solicitor.

Minutes:

The Borough Solicitor advised that the Whistleblowing Code, included as part of the work programme for the Committee, is as set down at 17.2 of the Constitution and applies to all employees under a contract of employment with the Council, including Council contractors and suppliers.  He reported that there are no relevant changes or updates to it at this time.  However, the Code is scheduled to be reviewed, with the Borough Treasurer and will be considered by the Audit and Governance Committee and this Committee, once the officer review has been undertaken.  

 

RESOLVED:   That the update be noted.  

 

42.

OFFICER CODE OF CONDUCT

To receive an update from the Borough Solicitor.

Minutes:

The Borough Solicitor advised the Committee that the Officers’ Code of Conduct is set down at 17.1 of the Constitution and applies to all employees under a contract of employment with the Council.  It provides a very clear framework for employees to follow and ensures that high standards are maintained.  He reported that there are no relevant changes or updates to it at this time. However, the Officers’ Code is scheduled to reviewed, with the Borough Treasurer and will be considered by the Audit and Governance Committee and this Committee, once the officer review has been undertaken.  

 

RESOLVED:   That the update be noted.  

 

                     

43.

INDEPENDENT PERSON - PROTOCOL pdf icon PDF 217 KB

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor as contained on pages 57 to 62 of the Book of Reports that gave details in relation to the Independent Person Protocol as set down at 16.5 of the Constitution. The Protocol is reviewed by the Committee annually.  It was reported that there had been no significant changes since the report was considered by the Committee in March 2016.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Independent Person Protocol, attached at Appendix 1, be endorsed.

44.

COMPLAINTS STATISTICS pdf icon PDF 28 KB

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered the report of the Borough Solicitor providing the Standards Complaints Statistics for the period 1 April 2016 to 13 March 2017, as contained on pages 63 to 68 of the Book of Reports.

 

RESOLVED:  That the Standards Complaints Statistics, attached at Appendix 1, be noted.

45.

WORK PROGRAMME AND DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS pdf icon PDF 188 KB

To note the Work Programme of the Committee and date of future meetings, 19 September 2017 and 20 March 2018.

Minutes:

Consideration was given to the Work Programme and the dates of future meetings of the Committee.

 

In concluding the meeting, the Chairman on behalf of the Committee, thanked the Independent Person and Reserve Independent Person for their service to the Council and their continuing help to promote and maintain standards of conduct amongst Members.  This was echoed by all Members present.

 

RESOLVED:     A. That the Work Programme and future dates of meetings, 19 September 2017 and 20 March 2018, be noted.

 

                            B. That the thanks of the Committee, to the Independent Person and Reserve Independent Person for their service, be noted.