Agenda item

Report number LDS027 by the Chairman of the Standards Committee.         (Enclosure)

Mr Chris Holtom, the independent Chairman of South Kesteven District Council’s Standards Committee presented report number LDS027. He summarised the work undertaken by the Committee during 2010/11. 15 complaints were received, of those 10 were assessed for no further action and five were referred for investigation. A breach of the code was found in two cases and in two no breach was found. The hearing for the fifth case was pending.

The Standards Committee were there to promote fairness and transparency. Mr Holtom proceeded to explain that the Localism Bill proposed the abolition of the standards regime with the eradication of the Standards Board for England and the model code of conduct. Despite this, district councils would have a duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct. The council could choose to adopt a voluntary code of conduct but would have no responsibility to deal with complaints about parish and town councils.

At the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 1 July 2011, the group had set up a working group, which, with the Council’s blessing proposed to consider possible arrangements for the future and present them to the Engagement Policy Development Group for their consideration and recommendation to Cabinet and Council.

Mr Holtom commended all members of the committee, including Mr Fred Mann (also present), the committee’s independent vice-chairman. He complimented the Committee on its approach, considering issues in a practical, non-partisan way. The Chairman of the Standards Committee also thanked officers for their support.

Members of the Council thanked the Chairman for his report and the Committee for their work. They also expressed their gratitude to the officers who supported the Committee.

Those members who had sat on the committee commended its operation. Members asked whether the Council could adopt the Model Code of Conduct as a voluntary code and continue operating as it had, as the system seemed to work so effectively. It was confirmed that this was one option that could be considered. It was also suggested that if possible the district council should look to provide continuing support for parish and town councils. Debate also highlighted the potential reputational risks of having no standards framework and that it would be a criminal offence to intentionally fail to disclose an interest.

A motion was proposed under Council Procedure Rule 13(iv) and seconded:

“To refer the Localism Bill to the Engagement Committee for further discussion and explanation to develop a stakeholders conference to gain public input into what localism means in the district.”

The proposer expressed concern that lots of different people were looking at bits of the Bill and suggested that it should receive consideration as a whole. He suggested the Engagement Policy Development Group (PDG) put together a stakeholder conference open to councillors and other stakeholders in the community, so they could review the contents of the Bill and how they think it could work around the district.

The Chairman of the Engagement Policy Development Group stated that the review of standards arrangements and the Localism Bill formed a significant part of the group’s work programme. In light of this information one member requested whether the mover, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 13(vii) would withdraw the motion; he would not. During debate, it was suggested the motion was too prescriptive and pre-empted any work the PDG might do and had not considered budgetary provision.

In summing up, the proposer welcomed that the PDG was going to look at the Bill and expressed the importance of engaging with the public. He suggested that any consultation could fit within existing consultation mechanisms, requiring no additional budgetary provision. On being put to the vote, the motion was lost.