To consider questions raised at Council on 13 October 2017.   The two questions raised relate to this committee’s function to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the Council.

The chairman stated that he was disappointed to see this on the agenda as the matter had been discussed at the meeting on 20 September 2017. 

Question 1

A response to this question had been given in September 2017.   The council is not obliged to publish the names of the parish councils involved in code of conduct complaints but that does not mean that the committee could not look at providing this information if it helps the public to understand the code of conduct. 

The chairman proposed that this issue be deferred until the next code of conduct report which was due in September 2018, seconded by Councillor John Stone.

For:                  3

Against:           3

The chairman’s casting vote was used.  The issue of publishing the names of the towns and parish councils involved in code of conduct complaints deferred until September 2018. 

Question 2

It was noted that a working group of the committee had determined that monitoring officer resolution was appropriate and can be relied upon.  It was for the committee to determine whether or not they were happy with the procedure.    It was agreed that this issue be moved to the working group as the code of conduct formed part of the constitution. 

RESOLVED

That:

(a)     the issue of publishing the names of town and parish councils involved in code of conduct complaints be deferred until September 2018; and

(b)     that the constitution working group be asked to look at whether monitoring officer resolution was still appropriate