Agenda item

A copy of an article from ‘Insight’ magazine (Local Government Lawyer) by Mark Heath about the standards regime not working as intended was circulated to the Committee. Attention was brought to an email inbox collating views.

Consideration was given to the report and the appendices (Appendix 1 was circulated at the meeting) presented by Sumera Shabir, Solicitor, which provided an update on the future proposed training for members of Parish and Town Councils on codes of conduct and standards and ethics generally and a revised (shortened) version of the bulletin reporting on recent and key updates in standards and ethics. 

The role play training as suggested would enable Town and Parish Councils to understand issues in relation to the Code of Conduct and standards generally.  This form of training would promote self-awareness, provide strength and confidence for the Chair and provide the tools to understand the supportive structure for Parish and Town Councils.

Feedback following any training should be sought as part of the evaluation. It was also suggested that some element of equalities training could be supplemented to such a training session.

Whilst the benefit of a separate session for Parish Clerks using a different training method would be helpful, it was noted that separate training for Clerks was provided by the Yorkshire Local Councils’ Association.  It was, therefore suggested that some liaison take place with them to see what training was currently offered to avoid duplication.

The venues and arrangements for future training were yet to be confirmed, but the Committee considered whether it would be appropriate to extend invitations to Ward Councillors who were local to the venue and members of the Standards Committee and members of the Council’s regulatory boards (Planning Board) itself; where relevant.

Turning attention to the circulated Standards and Ethics Bulletin the Committee were happier with the condensed version with links to the relevant subjects.  It was suggested that this be circulated to members of this Committee, all Borough Councillors and Parish and Town Councils with a brief explanatory note about the bulletin, its content and the reason for its circulation.

The Committee asked for the view of the Cabinet Member of Neighbourhood Working and Cultural Services to be sought prior to any publication of the bulletin on the Council’s website.

The Committee was also notified about a consultation regarding the disqualification criteria for councillors and mayors – the deadline being 8 December 2017. It was agreed that all Committee Members, Borough Councillors and Parish Councillors would be notified about this via email (with a brief explanation) so that they could make any representations. The Chair requested a hard-copy of the consultation.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the information about upcoming training sessions be noted.

(2)  That any future training initiatives to be undertaken with Parish and Town Councils be identified and forwarded on to the relevant officers.

(3)  That the revised version of the bulletin be distributed to Borough Councillors and Parish and Town Councils in Rotherham and this be published on the Council’s website following consultation with the relevant Cabinet Member.

(4) That all Committee Members, Borough Councillors and Parish Councillors be notified about the consultation regarding the disqualification criteria for councillors and mayors via email.