Issue - meetings

[To seek Members' views on the general operation of the Standards Committee and its Sub-Committees over the last twelve months.]

The Committee's views were sought on the general operation of the Standards Committee and its Standard Sub-Committees over the preceding twelve months, in particular the fixed memberships of the Assessment and Review Sub-Committees which had been introduced in September 2009 for a six month trial period.

The Monitoring Officer ("MO") highlighted the large number of complaints which had been received during the previous year and the difficulties which officers had from time to time faced in coordinating the assessment of these, and for which brief mention of increasing the size of the Standards Committee had previously been made should the need for this arise in the future. 

Members were asked if they wished to take this opportunity of looking at increasing the membership of the Committee by one elected Member, taking into consideration political balance issues.  The issue of appointing a third full Parish Representative to the Committee was also raised, which it was agreed would be looked at separately, as appropriate.

RESOLVED that the Monitoring Officer be tasked with preparing a report for consideration by full Council on increasing the membership of the Standards to include a fourth elected Member.