| Place: | Cross Room, Civic Centre, West Paddock, Leyland |
| Present: | Russell Atkinson (in the chair) Councillors Heyworth, K W Palmer and Mrs M J Robinson, Independent Members Steve Ellison and John Holt and Parish Councillor Mrs Houghton. |
| In attendance: | John Dakin (Corporate Director (Policy and Neighbourhoods)), Maureen Wood (Head of Corporate Governance), David Whelan (Legal Services Manager) and Carol Eddleston (Democratic Services Officer). |
| Public attendance: | 1 |
| Other Officers: | 0 |
| Item | Description/Resolution | Status | Action | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| OPEN ITEMS | ||||
| 1 |
Welcome and Introductions The independent chairman welcomed members and the member of the public to the meeting. |
Noted | ||
| 2 |
Apologies for Absence Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Edwards and Yates and Parish Councillor Mrs Gelder. |
Noted | ||
| 3 |
Minutes of the Last Meeting A member of the public commented on the late publication of the minutes and enquired whether any other notes were available to view. The chairman confirmed that notes taken at meetings were not normally made available. The Corporate Director (Policy and Neighbourhoods) confirmed that any request to view hand written notes submitted under FOI would be considered on its own merits. He confirmed that the decision notice pertaining to the meeting on 8 May would be published in the local press. The Corporate Director (Policy and Governance) confirmed that Councillor M Gardner was in the process of preparing the letter of apology to the complainant. Officers understood that Councillor M Gardner was not intending to appeal the hearing decision. RESOLVED: that the minutes of the meeting held on 8 May be approved as a correct record and signed by the chairman. |
Agreed | ||
| 4 |
Outturn Report - Action Plan for Promoting and Achieving High Ethical Standards Report attached The Legal Services Manager presented the report which updated the committee on continuing progress in delivering actions arising from the 2006 Ethical Governance Audit. In relation to the Areas of Action on page 2 of the report, the Corporate Director (Policy and Neighbourhoods) explained that the Constitution was very much based on government guidance and it was hoped that a plain English guide would help to demystify it. The Legal Services Manager advised that it was intended that future Annual Reports on Ethical Standards would come before the Standards Committee and Council in June and July respectively, as this tied in with the Standards Board for England's annual reporting requirements. In response to a question from the member of the public, the Corporate Director (Policy and Neighbourhoods) confirmed that a number of members of the public and officers were invited to comment on relevant draft council documents. The committee agreed that the draft plain English guide should be made available for public comment on the website. RESOLVED: 1) That the Outturn Report - Action Plan for Promoting and Achieving High Ethical Standards be noted, 2) the future draft plain English guide to the Constitution be made available for public comment via the council's website. |
Agreed | ||
| 5 |
Ethical Governance Audit - Summary Report Report attached The Legal Services Manager presented the report which would provide the basis for a new Action Plan for Promoting and Achieving High Ethical Standards. In response to a question from Councillor Heyworth, the Head of Corporate Governance confirmed that arrangements were in place to provide training on Standards Committee processes and procedures for new members of the committee as and when changes were made to the membership. As a new member of the committee Councillor Yates would be receiving training shortly. The Head of Corporate Governance said that there would also be training for non Standards Committee members in December 2009. In response to a question from Councillor Mrs Robinson, the Corporate Director (Policy and Neighbourhoods) confirmed that the Citizens' Panel was refreshed every three years. In response to a comment from the member of the public about evidence of consultation with the public, the Corporate Director (Policy and Neighbourhoods) explained that Citizens' Panel survey results were always published on the council's website. In fact the Audit Commission and External Audit had complimented the way in which the council consults with its residents and local businesses. The Head of Corporate Governance echoed these comments and pointed out that more and more evidence was needed to support the outcomes and achievements of the Council. Councillor Mrs Robinson said that members and officers expected any external audit or inspection to be very thorough and for relevant documentary evidence to be made available to those concerned. RESOLVED: 1) The Ethical Governance Audit - Summary Report be supported, 2) the findings from the above be used as a basis for a new Action Plan for Promoting and Achieving High Ethical Standards, 3) a draft new Action Plan for Promoting and Achieving High Ethical Standards be presented to the next meeting, and 4) A further ethical governance audit be undertaken in 2011/2012. |
Agreed | ||
| 6 |
Draft Annual Report on Ethical Standards for 2009 Report attached The Legal Services Manager presented the draft report which would be finalised following any comments from the Standards Committee and presented to full Council shortly. Members welcomed the evidence of a strong ethical governance regime in the council but agreed that the council should not be complacent. They agreed that the wording in the Conclusion on page 4 of the report should be amended to reflect this. Following an observation from a member of the public about the Register of Members' Interests, members agreed that it would be timely for officers to review all members' forms for consistency. The Democratic Services Officer confirmed that all members were reminded, on an annual basis, of the need to keep their registers up-to-date and of the need to register any gifts and hospitality within 28 days of receipt. Members suggested that an oral reminder at the end of meetings, and having the register available for members to make changes before or after meetings, might also be helpful. RESOLVED: 1) That, subject to the above, the Draft Annual Report on Ethical Standards for 2009 be agreed and submitted to full Council, 2) an oral reminder be given to members at committee meetings of the need to keep their Register of Interests up to date, and 3) the Register of Members' Interests be taken to committee meetings to allow members to make any necessary changes. |
Agreed | ||