To enable the committee to be assured that high standards of conduct continue to be promoted and maintained.

The monitoring officer introduced the report.  The majority of complaints received during the municipal year 2016/17 were related to lack of respect and concerns on declarations of interest where parishes were preparing Neighbourhood Development Plans (NDPs). The monitoring officer noted the retirement of one of the independent persons and thanked him for his time.

In response to a query from a member of the committee it was confirmed that as the council had only one independent person at the present time, it would not be possible for that person to give support to a member who was the subject of a complaint. Giving such support could prejudice that independent person and prevent them from chairing the standards panel if it was needed.

The monitoring officer sought the views of the committee on the process for referring matters to the police where the monitoring officer deemed it necessary. Members of the committee felt that the standards policy should make clear that any issue could be referred on to the police if it was felt that illegal activity had taken place. However it should be done in such a way as to not discourage individuals from participating in local democracy for fear of being reported.

The monitoring officer reported that training was being given to parish clerks and that adoption of the new code of conduct by the council had given the opportunity to refresh the training. The council’s training package for councillors and induction package for new councillors was being refreshed and would include training on the code of conduct. This would be discussed with the member development group.

RESOLVED

that

(a)  the annual report on code of conduct complaints was reviewed and no areas for further work were identified for inclusion in the work programme; and

(b)  the monitoring officer be authorised to agree a protocol for handling disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) complaints with West Mercia Police.

The meeting adjourned 15:40 and resumed at 15:53.