Agenda item

Report by the Chairman of the Constitution Committee.               (Enclosure)

Decision:

That the Council approves the recommendations made by the Constitution Committee at its meeting on the 15 April 2013 as follows:

1.    At page 94 of the Constitution relating to delegations to the Strategic Director – Corporate Focus add the authority to authorise use of powers contained in the Council Tax Reduction Scheme (Detection of Fraud and Enforcement) (England) Regulations 2013

2.    At page 252 of the Constitution relating to the Members’ Code of Conduct – Principles of Conduct in Public Life be amended in accordance with Appendix A to report number LDS092 including the following further amendment (as underlined):

·         INTEGRITY: Holders of public office must avoid placing themselves under any obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might try inappropriately to influence them in their work. They should not act or take decisions in order to gain financial or material benefits for themselves, their family, their friends or other parties. They must declare and resolve any interests and relationships.

·         LEADERSHIP: Holders of public office should exhibit these principles in their own behaviour. They should actively promote and robustly support the principles and be willing to challenge breaches of the Code by others where they see this occurring.

The Chairman of the Constitution Committee presented report number LDS094 which contained the recommendations made by the Committee at its meeting on Monday 15 April 2013. He proposed the recommendations as listed in the report. These were seconded. Each recommendation was put to the vote separately and carried.