Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Mr S Ibbs (Independent Person).

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.

There were no changes to Membership of the Committee

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.)

There were no declarations of interest.

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.

There were no items of urgent business.

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 14 September 2017.  A copy of the public speaking protocol and form to be completed is attached.

There were no items under this heading.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 21 March 2017.

RESOLVED              That the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 21 March 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Vice Chairman.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor as circulated and contained on pages 11 – 15 of the Book of Reports which detailed training undertaken in 2016/17 and its effectiveness in relation to the Code of Conduct and standards.

Reference was made to the annual training scheduled to take place on 20 September 2017 and the external induction training offered to newly elected Borough Councillors.

RESOLVED              That the training undertaken and the evaluation of it be noted.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor

The Borough Solicitor presented the Standards Committee Annual Report as circulated and contained on pages 17 – 25 of the Book of Reports.

RESOLVED              That the Standards Committee Annual Report 2016/17, attached as an Appendix to the report be noted, endorsed and published on the Council’s website.

To note the Work Programme for the Committee

Consideration was given to the Work Programme as circulated and contained on page 33 of the Book of Reports.

The ensuing discussion highlighted training offered to Parish Councillors and the Borough Solicitor undertook to bring a report to the next meeting outlining an approach to support, particularly new elected/co-opted, Parish Councillors, in their role.

RESOLVED              That an item on guidance for newly elected/co-opted Parish Councillors be added to the Committee’s Work Programme.