Agenda and minutes

None.

None.

Of the meeting held on 14^th March 2018 to be approved and signed.

RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th March 2018 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

That the Committee consider the draft Annual Report of the Standards Committee for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

The Committee considered the draft Annual Report of the Standards Committee for the Municipal Year 2017/18. The Committee welcomed the Report, which would be referred to the full Council for information.

With reference to reporting back by representatives on outside bodies, the Chairman stated that this would be considered as part of the wider review of the Committee system.

RESOLVED: That the Committee approve the draft Annual Report for the Municipal Year 2017/18.

That the Standards Committee consider the Annual Review Letter (Appendix 1) of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LG&SCO) for the period covering 1st April 2017 to 31st March 2018 for information and comment.

The Committee considered the Annual Review Letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the period covering 1^st April 2017 to 31^st March 2018.  The Monitoring Officer summarised the main findings. Committee members noted the low level of complaints received, which demonstrated that matters were being addressed through the Council’s internal procedures and only in a small minority of cases did complainants feel that their case needs to be escalated to the Ombudsman.

In response to questions, it was explained that copies of annual review letters for all local authorities were available on the Ombudsman’s website.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the Annual Review Letter of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman for the period 1^st April 2017 to 31^st March 2018.

That the Committee note the contents of this report.

The Committee considered a report by the Monitoring Officer on the indemnity and insurance position in respect of Members and Officers of the Council. The report set out the legal framework and the current insurance position for Members and Officers as provided by the Council’s insurers, Zurich. 

In summary, Members and Officers are covered if they are:

•    Acting explicitly on the Council’s behalf in pursuance of its statutory powers;

•    Acting in an advisory capacity in connection with the Council’s functions; or

•    Representing the Council’s interests as an observer on an outside body, board or Committee;

•    Acting on behalf of a Joint Committee established by 2 or more local authorities.

Members and Officers are not covered if they are:

•        Acting solely on behalf of an outside body;

•        Acting outside their delegated powers; or

•        Acting outside the Council’s statutory powers.

It was noted that the indemnity extends to include independent Members of the Audit and Governance and Standards Committees.

The Chairman welcomed the report and commented that Members should seek further advice if in any doubt about whether they are covered.

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.

That the Committee note the contents of the report.

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

RESOLVED: That the Committee note the report.

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 informed that, to date for the year commencing 1^st April 2018, there had 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.

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.

None.