Agenda and minutes

None.

None.

None.

Of the meeting held on 1^st November 2017

to be approved and signed.

With reference to Minute 14, (Guidance for Members on Issues Relating to Outside Bodies), consideration should be given for how and in what format Outside Bodies should report back to this Committee. To be discussed at a future meeting.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 1^st November 2017 be approved as a true record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

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

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.

The Committee were advised that since the last meeting no complaints have been received.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the Report.

The Monitoring Officer presented his report. He explained that following the move from the Cabinet to Committee model, more Councillors were privy to complex information. The Officer briefly summarised the difference between confidential and exempt information. He went on to answer questions from Members.

RESOLVED That:

1.   the Committee note the legal position in respect of confidential/exempt information.

2.   the Committee endorses the guidance for Councillors relating to the handling of confidential / exempt information as set out in Appendix 2.

3.   the guidance set out in Appendix 2 is circulated to all Councillors

The Monitoring Officer presented his report. He explained that the Committee had previously asked for guidance for Councillors to be provided in relation to conduct during elections. This information is also relevant to Parish Councillors.

Extensive guidance is available for prospective Councillors and their agents from the Electoral Commission’s website (see link below)

https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/candidate-or-agent  

Appendix 1 detailed the Summary of Electoral Offences. Appendix 2 referred to the Code of Conduct for campaigners and Appendix 3 related to Purdah Guidance.

The Monitoring Officer answered Members’ questions. He explained that during Purdah no publicity would be given to candidates other than Mayoral Engagements. He clarified that if for instance, a newspaper approached a candidate for a comment, that would not be a problem, however any messages released by the council would be factual rather than giving any message attributable to individual Councillors.

RESOLVED That:

1.   the Committee notes the contents of the Report and the associated appendices.

2.   the Appendices are circulated to Members.

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

Outside Bodies

Consideration should be given for how and in what format Outside Bodies should report back to this Committee. To be discussed at a future meeting.

General Data Protection Regulations

The issue of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) was raised. The Monitoring Officer explained that it is mandatory for Members to sign up to these regulations. There was some discussion around individual sign up versus Political Group signing.

The Monitoring Officer explained that in the eyes of the Independent Commissioner’s Office, Members were covered by parties when canvassing and covered  by the City Council for Council business, but for ward business they should have individual registration.

Standards Training Session

It was agreed that Standards training would be available to all Councillors and Parish Councillors. It was proposed that this would be undertaken early in the municipal year.