Issue - meetings
Annual Standards Update
Meeting: 23/07/2024 - Audit and Governance Committee (Item 285)
285 Annual Standards Update 
PDF 114 KB
Purpose
To present the Audit and Governance Committee with and update on Code of Conduct Complaints and arrangements for dealing with these.
Recommendations
That the Audit and Governance Committee resolves to:
1. Note the update for the financial years 2022 – 2023 and 2023 - 2024
2. Recommend to full Council to approve the updated arrangements for dealing with code of conduct complaints;
3. Recommend to full Council to approve the procedure for the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee and to delegate authority to the Director of Governance & Development to make minor amendments to the procedure.
Additional documents:
- Annex A- Arrangements for Assessing Alleged Breaches of the Code of Conduct, item 285
PDF 167 KB
- Annex B - Draft CDC Standards Hearing Procedure Rules, item 285
PDF 75 KB
- Webcast for Annual Standards Update
Minutes:
T
he Director of Governance and Development introduced the report, which was originally due to be presented to the Committee in September as an annual update. Due to the item being deferred, the update provided information for two years. The Director of Governance and Development explained that the report also asked the Committee to approve changes to the Arrangements for Dealing with Code of Conduct Complaints and a procedure for the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee.
Members discussed the report, and the following points were raised:
- The Director of Governance and Development advised that due to confidentiality, the Committee should refrain from discussing individual cases in detail.
- In response to a query about confidentiality, it was noted that complainants could remain anonymous in exceptional circumstances, such as being afraid of physical harm. However, in the interest of natural justice these instances were rare.
Members welcomed the updated arrangements for dealing with standards complaints, which included more robust wording around complaints being made in writing. Members noted the need for training around standards hearings was recognised, but the Director of Governance and Development stated that it would be best to deliver this immediately prior to a hearing for the ease of those serving on the Sub-Committee.
RESOLVED: That the Audit and Governance Committee:
- NOTED the update for the financial years 2022 – 2023 and 2023 - 2024
- AGREED TO RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL to approve the updated arrangements for dealing with code of conduct complaints;
- AGREED TO RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL to approve the procedure for the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee and to delegate authority to the Director of Governance & Development to make minor amendments to the procedure.
Voting Record
For 5, Against 0, Absent/Did not vote 2