Agenda and minutes

To receive declarations of interest from Members in respect of items listed on the agenda.

There were no declarations of interest.

To consider whether the press and public should be excluded from the meeting during consideration of any part of the agenda.

Agenda Items 6, 7 and 8 are all exempt from the press and public.

Resolved:-  That, under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for Minute Nos. 30, 31 and 32 on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 3 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

To consider and approve the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th November, 2021 as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the previous meeting held on 18^th November, 2021 were approved as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

It was noted that in terms of reports with any acronyms, a list of definition would be incorporated into future reports.

To receive an update on training.

Stuart Fletcher, Legal Manager, updated the Committee on recent training provided to Parish Councils on the use of social media, which was very positively received.  Those Parish Councils who did attend would be thanked for their attendance with a further session being arranged later in the year.

In terms of the model Code of Conduct produced by the LGA and which had been adopted by the Council, training resources  have been  provided by the LGA to ensure consistency and these would be delivered to Members in  further training sessions.

It was assumed the changes to any future sanctions legislation by the Government would be delayed, due to restrictions on Parliamentary time caused initially by the pandemic and now due to  the ongoing conflict.

Resolved:-  That the training updated be received and noted.

To consider the report relating to the outcome of the Whistleblowing Policy Audit.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Stuart Fletcher, Legal Manager, which detailed the outcome of an audit into the Whistleblowing Policy by Internal Audit.

The risks identified and the actions implemented were set out in detail as part of the report and provided assurance that the operation of the Whistleblowing Policy was working as it should.

The Committee sought clarification on a couple of points relating to inclusion of links to the Whistleblowing Policy in procurement and partnership documentation and the actions in place to track audit recommendations.

It was suggested that the Committee receive a further report in a year’s time on the progress of the recommendations.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the outcome of an audit in respect of the operation of the Whistleblowing Policy be received and noted.

(2)  That the Committee receive a further report in a year’s time on the progress of the recommendations.

To give consideration to a report regarding concerns raised pursuant to the Whistleblowing Policy and the actions taken to address these matters.

Consideration was given to the report and appendix presented by Stuart Fletcher, Legal Manager, which provided an overview of the Whistleblowing cases which have been received over the past year.

Particular reference was made to the appendix to the report which set out clearly the description of the concerns received and action taken.

Resolved:-  That the Whistleblowing concerns raised over the previous year and the actions taken to address these matters be received and noted.

To give consideration to a report updating the Committee on the Complaints received against Members of the Council, and Town and Parish Councillors alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Consideration was given to the report presented by Stuart Fletcher, Legal Manager, detailing the progress with the handling of complaints relating to breaches of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members and Town and Parish Councillors.  The report listed the current cases of complaint and the action being taken in respect of each one.

Reference was made to each related case and recommended outcomes/actions identified were highlighted.

The Committee particularly welcomed the support of the Independent Persons who regarded the administration of complaints to be timely and effective.

Resolved:-  That the report be received and the contents noted.

To determine any item which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

The Chair advised that there were no urgent items of business requiring the Committee’s consideration.

The next meeting of the Standards and Ethics Committee will take place on 16^th June, 2022, commencing at 2.00 p.m.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Standards and Ethics Committee be held on Thursday, 16^th June, 2022, commencing at 2.00 p.m. at the Town Hall.