Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

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 the Membership of the Committee.

If a Member requires advice on Declarations of Interest, he/she is advised to contact the Legal and Democratic Services Manager in advance of the meeting.   (For the assistance of members a checklist for the 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 was no 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 10.00pm on Friday 12 March 2021. A copy of the public speaking protocol and form to be completed is attached.

There was no public speaking.

To receive as a correct record the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 15 September 2020.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held of the 15 September 2020, be approved as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Legal and Democratic Services Manager

The Legal and Democratic Services Manager presented the Complaints Statistics as contained on pages 221 – 226 of the Book of Reports, which provided Members with statistical information in relation to Standards Complaints for the period 8 September 2020 to 8 March 2021. There were no complaints for this period.

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

To consider the report of the Legal and Democratic Services Manager

The Legal and Democratic Services Manager presented the report on the Members Code of Conduct as contained on pages 227 – 256 of the Book of Reports, which sought to agree a timetable for the consideration of the Members Code of Conduct, in light of the publication of a model Code of Conduct by the Local Government Association.

RESOLVED: That the timetable at paragraph 4 of the report be agreed.

To consider the report of the Legal and Democratic Services Manager

The Legal and Democratic Services Manager presented the report on the National Review Of Local Government Ethical Standards as contained on pages 257 – 260 of the Book of Reports, which provided an update on actions taken in consideration of the best practice recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, following its national review of Local Government Ethical Standards.  

RESOLVED: That the update be noted.  

To consider the report of the Legal and Democratic Services Manager

The Principal Solicitor presented the report on the Review of The Independent Person Protocol as contained on pages 261 – 272 of the Book of Reports, for Members to consider and approve the update to the Independent Person Protocol.

RESOLVED: That the updated Independent Person Protocol as attached at appendix 2 of the report be approved.

RESOLVED: That the work programme be noted.