Decision details

Council RESOLVED that Article 9 of the Constitution – Standards Committee be amended as follows (amendments in bold italics):

(a)               Article 9.01, the Committee:

“The Council will establish and maintain a Standards Committee.  Under the regulations, Standards Committees are not subject to the political balance requirements of sections 15-17 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.  This is to allow the Standards Committee to be seen as being above party politics and comprised of representatives that command the support of the whole authority, regardless of party political loyalties.  The Standards Committee should include representatives from all groups represented on the council and should be constituted to ensure that no one political group dominates.”

(b)               Article 9.02(a), Composition:

“The Standards Committee will be composed of at least:

6 councillors, excluding members of the executive, (council members)

4 persons who are not councillors or officers of the council or any other relevant body (independent members)

3 members of parish councils in the Council’s area (parish members);

At least 25% of the members of the Standards Committee must be independent members.

(c)               Article 9.02(b), Council Members:

“The Council will appoint the Council Members.”

(d)               Article 9.02(c), Independent Members, second bullet point:

“Their appointment shall be ratified by Council on the recommendation of the appointments panel of the Standards Committee, its size and composition to be determined by the Committee Chairman in consultation with the Monitoring Officer.”