Agenda and minutes

Apologies were recived from Cllr L Shires and Cllr N Dixon.

None received.

To approve as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 27^th April 2021.

Minutes of the meeting held on 27^th April 2021 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To consider any actions arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

       i.          Cllr A Brown referred to comments made regarding the review of the Member/Officer Protocol, and noted that a response had not been received from the DSM. The DSGOS confirmed that he would ensure a response was provided by email.

      ii.          It was confirmed, in response to a question from Cllr G Perry-Warnes that excerpts from the Monitoring Officer’s Report relating to code of conduct issues did fall within the remit of the Committee, and had been provided for the Committee’s consideration.

To determine any items of business which the Chairman decides should be considered as a matter of urgency pursuant to Section 100B (4) (b) of the Local Government Act 1972.

None received.

Members are asked at this stage to declare any interests that they may have in any of the following items on the agenda. The Code of Conduct for Members requires that declarations include the nature of the interest and whether it is a pecuniary interest.

None declared.

Members are reminded that the Parish and District Members’ Register of Interests and Officer Register of Gifts and Hospitality are available for inspection in the Democratic Services section.

The DSGOS reminded Members that all registers were available for review in Democratic Services.

To receive and note the report.

The MO introduced the report and informed Members that it was an annual requirement that provided a summary of work completed in the previous year. She added that whilst the report covered the period from 1^st April 2020 to 31^st March 2021, she had only been in post as MO since February 2021. It was noted that an excerpt report had been prepared that contained the sections of the full report that were relevant to the Committee. This included a summary of the Members’ register of interests, gifts and hospitality, matters relating to the code of conduct and general advice given to Parish Councils. The MO noted that the agenda also included a separate update for any code of conduct issues that took place after the 31^st March 2021.

Questions and Discussion

       i.          It was confirmed, following a question from Cllr J Rest that the excerpt was part of the full report presented to GRAC, on matters relating specifically to the Standards Committee. The MO stated that Appendix A had been added, which included information on code of conduct matters that had occurred during the period covered by the report.

      ii.          Cllr H Blathwayt referred to Appendix A and asked whether it was an average number of complaints. The MO replied that there was a lower number of complaints than normal, potentially as a result of the Pandemic limiting the number of physical meetings. She added that there were no issues in the period covered by the report that had required significant sanctions.

     iii.          Cllr G Perry-Warnes asked whether subject members were notified of all outcomes in relation to complaints, or only those that were escalated. The MO confirmed that subject members were notified of all outcomes, even if no further action was required. She added that subject members were always notified of complaints and offered an opportunity to respond, followed by an investigation with both the subject member and complainant notified of the outcome.

    iv.          Cllr H Blathwayt asked whether there were any situations in which NALC were involved in the complaints process, rather than or in addition to NNDC. The MO replied that occasionally the Council would liaise with NALC during the process, but it was a statutory requirement for the NNDC MO to review all code of conduct complaints relating to District, Town and Parish Councils. Cllr H Blathwayt stated that the head of NALC had recently changed, and suggested that it could be helpful for a representative to attend a future meeting to brief Members on their role in supporting Councillors and Councils across Norfolk.

      v.          It was confirmed, following a question from Cllr J Rest that no complaints contained within the report had been escalated to the point of Committee involvement. The MO added that many complaints had not required further action, or where minor breaches had been found, resolution could be reached without the need for a hearing.

    vi.          Cllr A Brown referred to definitions of bullying and asked what definition  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To receive and note an update on any recent standards complaints and consider any other business.

The DSGOS reminded Members that Code of Conduct Training was due to take place on Monday 18^th October and all Members were encouraged to attend.

To pass the following resolution:

“That under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 3 of Part I of Schedule 12A (as amended) to the Act”.