Meeting documents

To receive any apologies for absence

An apology for absence was received from Miss S Brown.

To confirm the minutes of the last meeting held on 19 February 2019

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 19 February 2019 be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

To receive any disclosure of any pecuniary interests by Members relating to items on the agenda.  If any Member is uncertain as to whether an interest should be disclosed, he or she is asked if possible, he or she is asked if possible to contact the District Solicitor prior to the meeting.

Members are reminded that if they are declaring an interest, they should state the nature of that interest whether or not they are required to withdraw from the meeting.

Mr Nolan and Councillor Green declared an interest in agenda item 4 as they had been the subject of a complaint lodged against them.

The final report of the Standards Committee was submitted for information which requested that Members note the report and refer it to Full Council at its next meeting scheduled to take place in March 2020. 

Members were provided with an outline of the Committee`s work schedule over the past year, this was attached at (Appendix 1) to the report. In addition (Appendix 2) highlighted the list of complaints which had been submitted under the procedures determined by the Localism Act.

A Member stated that it was unfortunate the process required that all complaints be reported for information, even if they were not genuine and of a malicious nature. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the Council was indeed bound by the current procedures but that the level of information provided at this stage of the complaint could change under the new Authority should it deem appropriate following the scheduled review of the whole of the standards process at the end of February.

Members emphasised that it was imperative that a high level of public transparency be upheld and maintained and incorporated within an easily enforceable process. Members unanimously agreed that a formal proposal should be put forward to the new Authority for a specific Standards Committee to be set up to deal with Standards matters.

The Monitoring Officer reassured Members that the Legal and Governance work stream had issued a legal briefing note setting out the relevant transitional regulations in respect of standards. It was explained that the new Members` Code of Conduct which would be included within Buckinghamshire Council’s Constitution was to be considered by the Shadow Authority on the 27^th February 2020.

The Chairman reiterated his appreciation to all that had served on the Standards Committee over the years and for the valuable contribution they had made.

RESOLVED: That:

(i)            the report be noted

(ii)          All Members be thanked for their invaluable contribution to the work of the Standards Committee

A report was submitted which requested approval for the preparation and publication of a voluntary statement on modern slavery which would express and demonstrate the Council`s commitment to its role in the prevention of modern slavery.

The report stated that whilst the Council was not under a duty to publish such a statement it was regarded as good practice to do so. The Council`s first such statement had been approved by this Committee in 2017, and had been brought back for further minor amendments in 2018.

Members were asked to agree the statement attached at (Appendix 1) of the report, and refer it to Full Council for its endorsement.

Members were informed that this statement would only be effective for the remainder of the life of the Council, but that the new Authority would also be signing up to such a statement which would be very similar in nature.

RESOLVED: That the revised Modern Slavery Transparency Statement be accepted and noted and referred to Full Council for its endorsement.

The Chairman of the Committee took the opportunity to once again express his heartfelt thanks to all Members, Parish Councillors, Independent Members and officers for all the work undertaken during their time serving the Standards Committee.

The Committee Members also conveyed their thanks to the Chairman for running all of the meetings in a smooth and efficient manner.