Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Wright, Mr S Ibbs (Independent Person) and Mr S Garvey (Reserve 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 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 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 10.00am on Friday 15 March 2019.   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 18 September 2018.

RESOLVED              That the minutes of the last meeting of the Committee held on 18 September 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

At this point the leader referred to a previous resolution of the Committee in regard to Parish Council representation on the Standards Committee and indicated that he was mindful to propose the appointment of such representation at the Annual Council meeting on 15 May 2019.  Members of the Standards Committee indicated their support for this action. 

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor

The Committee considered the complaints statistics for 2018/19 as set down at pages 43 – 48 of the Book of Reports. 

RESOLVED              That the Standards Complaints Statistics, attached at Appendix 1 to the report be noted

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to the joint report of the Borough Solicitor and Borough Treasurer as contained on pages 43 – 48 of the Book of Reports, updating the Council’s Whistleblowing Code attached at Appendix 1 to the report.

The Borough Solicitor advised that as there had been no changes to law and good practice, there were no significant changes to the Code, and that the report would be referred to the Audit and Governance Committee and Council for consideration.

RESOLVED  A.      That the updated Whistleblowing Code, as set out in Appendix 1 be endorsed, subject to the following revisions:-

-       paragraph 6.1 – amend list of examples to read

‘unlawful discrimination against people with protected characteristics’

-       paragraph 9 – include reference to and contact point for External Auditor.

                        B.      That it be noted that the Whistleblowing Code will be considered further by the Audit and Governance Committee and Council.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor as contained on pages 61 to 174 of the Book of Reports which advised upon the outcome of the national review by the Committee on Standards in Public Life on local government ethical standards.

RESOLVED  A.      That the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life be noted.

                        B.      That the Borough Solicitor report to the next meeting of the Standards Committee with any necessary recommendations to ensure that the Council continues to exemplify best practice with regard to local ethical standards.

To consider the report of the Borough Solicitor

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor which advised upon the updated ‘Planning Code of Good Practice’ that had been adopted by the Planning Committee at its meeting on 18 October 2018.

RESOLVED              That the report be noted.

Consideration was given to the Committee’s Work Programme as contained on page 193 of the Book of Reports.

It was noted that in relation to minute no. 19 above, a further report would be submitted to the next meeting of the Committee.

RESOLVED  A.        That the Work Programme be noted.

B.        That an item “National Review of Local Government Ethical Standards” be included on the Work Programme for the next meeting.