Agenda and minutes

None.

None.

Of the meeting held on 12^th July 2017 to be approved and signed.

With reference to minute 5 (Terms of Reference and Work Programme), the Chairman stated that she would welcome any suggestions from Committee Members and co-optees for future items.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 12^th July 2017 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

That the Committee adopts the Guidance on Outside Bodies in Appendix 1 of this report.

The Committee considered Guidance for Members on Issues Relating to Outside Bodies. The Monitoring Officer presented the report and summarised the key points.

In the ensuing discussion, the following main points were made:

·         It was acknowledged that the guidance provides a high-level overview, and if further advice is required this can be sought from the Monitoring Officer.

·         It was requested that the Guidance should include an example of an outside body in each of the four categories.

·         There was a discussion about the process for reporting back. The Committee concluded that it would be worthwhile for Officers to consider this in more detail with Group Leaders and then report back to the Chair and Vice-Chair.

RESOLVED: That the Committee agree to adopt the Guidance on Outside Bodies in Appendix 1 of the report, subject to amendment to incorporate the comments above.

That the Standards Committee consider the Annual Review Letter (Appendix 1) of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) for the period covering 1st April 2016 to 31st March 2017 for information and comment.

The Committee considered the Annual Review Letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGO) for the period covering 1^st April 2016 to 31^st March 2017.

In summary, the overall number of complaints and enquiries received by the LGO about Worcester City Council had reduced from 14 in 2015/16 to 7 in 2016/17. The number of cases where a decision was made by the LGO also decreased from 18 in 2015/16 to six in 2016/17. Two of these complaints resulted in a detailed investigation and none were upheld.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the Annual Review Letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the period 1^st April 2016 to 31^st March 2017.

That the Committee note any complaints which have received a report, an upheld decision or where maladministration has been identified by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Committee were advised that, to date for the year commencing 1^st April 2017, there had been no reports or upheld decision received or incidents of maladministration identified by the Ombudsman to report.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.

That the Committee note the contents of the report.

The Committee were advised that, since the last meeting, one complaint had been received, which was subsequently withdrawn. Accordingly, no further action was necessary.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.

To review the registers of Members’ and Officers’ gifts and hospitality and register of interests. The registers will be available for inspection from 6.30p.m. onwards, so that Members can have the opportunity to review them either before or at the meeting.

The Committee were given the opportunity to review the registers of Members’ and Officers’ gifts and hospitality and register of interests.

Which in the opinion of the Chairman is of sufficient urgency as to warrant consideration.

The Chairman referred to the earlier discussion on the work programme. She explained that guidance on receiving and handling confidential information would be considered at the March 2018 meeting. She also asked if Officers could consider whether any guidance could be provided to Members on conduct during election periods, over and above what is already produced.