Meeting documents

CS/16/8

Standards Committee

14 March 2016

ETHICAL GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK MONITORING

Report of the County Solicitor

Recommendation: that the Report be noted.

1. The Standards Committee agreed previously that co-opted members of the Committee should attend meetings of the Council, the Cabinet and Committees on an ad-hoc basis to observe and monitor compliance with the Council's ethical governance framework, in line with agreed protocols.

2. Members have, since the report to the previous meeting, attended the following meetings and their views/feedback are summarised below.

3. The following table summarises feedback received from Members on general issues common to all meetings

4. While there were a number of other observations or issues raised by co-opted members, as set out below, there were no reports of any specific actions or behaviours that might be felt to have resulted in a potential breach of the Code or warranted further action

5. Specific observations by co- opted members were that:

there was generally a clear introduction and explanation of issues by Officers;

meetings benefitted from firm and effective Chairmanship - and there was evidence of good debate management especially where different views obtained;

the need for nameplates to be used at all meetings for the benefit of those attending, any public present and those who may be viewing via the webcast (where appropriate);

in a similar vein, members who arrived late did not always offer any explanation or apology for so doing or then used nameplates provided and/or failed to introduce themselves when speaking;

where there was firm exchange of views this was done in a controlled manner and did not descend into acrimony or divert the meeting from the question at hand;

Members should refrain from having 'separate conversations' during debates: this is not only discourteous to speakers but may prevent others present hearing what is being said in the debate and may reflect poorly on the conduct of the meeting, particularly when meetings are webcast;

where membership of a body may vary (through use of substitutes) it might be helpful for Members to introduce themselves;

persons leaving the meeting room should attempt to do so as quietly as possible to avoid disturbing those remaining and participating in/listening to the debates;

Officers should be wary of the use of acronyms in Reports: a glossary in such cases is useful for all those attending.

6. Democratic Services staff will also be reminded of the need for Members to use nameplates at all times .. and ensure they do so!

7. This Report has no specific equality, sustainability, legal or public health implications that have not already been assessed and appropriate safeguards and/or actions taken or included within the detailed policies or practices or requirements relating to the conduct of meetings, to safeguard the Council's position.

JAN SHADBOLT

[Electoral Divisions: All]

Local Government Act 1972: List of Background Papers

Contact for Enquiries: R Hooper

Tel No: 01392 382300 Room: G31

Nil