Agenda and minutes

*SC 1             

An apology for absence was received from Cllr J McInnes.

Meeting held on 17 March 2015

*SC2              

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 17^th March 2015, were confirmed and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.

*SC 3             

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report and confirmed that she would update the Committee on a monthly basis regarding complaints received.

Members were concerned that they had no input unless a complaint was presented to the Committee. Some Members suggested they look at the SHDC model where the Standards Committee was absorbed within the functions of Overview & Scrutiny. A Member spoke to say they did not want the committee absorbed in such a way.

It was noted that mediation, No Further Action or consideration by the   Committee were the three available routes in dealing with complaints. The Monitoring Officer clarified that there were three Independent People (IP) that were utilised in the complaints process. They were used on a rota basis, one for each complaint. A Member suggested the IP should be able to approach the Chair or Vice Chair on any complaint should the need arise. A Member suggested that the Committee consider co-opting a Parish or Town Councillor on to the Committee.

In light of the issues raised, it was requested that the Monitoring Officer produce a report on the future direction of the Committee to the next meeting.

It was then RESOLVED that the Monitoring Officer would present a report to the next meeting to enable discussion on the future direction of the Standards Committee.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

*SC 4             

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report that updated Members on the number and types of standards complaints that had been received by the Borough Council over the previous twelve months (1June 2014 to 31 May 2015).

During the discussion it was noted that most complaints were decided as ‘no further action’ being required, because the complaints did not disclose evidence of a breach of the Code or it was not in the public interest to pursue the complaint. The Monitoring Officer agreed to include the parish name in the regular updates circulated to the Committee.

It was RESOLVED that the report be noted.