Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

1.         To review and note the complaint and the decision of Standards Committee in relation to the conduct of Cllr Barrie Yates.

2.         To support the recommendation that there be a review of the Code of Conduct for Members with an emphasis on

a. Simplifying the code and aligning with legislation the recommendations of the Office for Standards in Public Life; and specifically

b. Consideration of standardising the code of conduct across South Ribble BC and Chorley BC.

3.         That the Monitoring Officer be tasked with establishing a cross party and stakeholder working group to undertake the review and for the working group to present recommendations to Council for consideration and if approved adoption in due course.

The Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Carol Wooldridge, presented the report of the Monitoring Officer regarding the Standards Committee meeting held on 6 September 2021. 

The Standards Committee had considered a complaint that Councillor Barrie Yates breached the Code of Conduct for Members.  The Committee upheld the complaint and asked that the decision be referred to Full Council for information.

A number of members commented on the report, including Councillors Mick Titherington, Matthew Tomlinson, David Howarth and Paul Wharton-Hardman noting the need for members to

·         be respectful of each other and officers

·         conduct themselves in accordance with the Code of Conduct

·         take advice given by officers 

It was noted that Councillor Yates had been removed from the Planning Committee membership but had been included within the membership in May, pending the outcome of the Standards hearing

The Leader of the Opposition, Councillor Karen Walton, noted the decision of the Standards Committee and supported the cross party working group to review of the Code of Conduct for Members. 

The Leader of the Council, Councillor Paul Foster, noted that the External Auditors and the Local Government Association have reported improvements at the Council and these improvements need to be embraced by all members.  Inappropriate behaviour must be challenged. 

Councillor Barrie Yates informed the meeting that he would be taking action against the council via the Ombudsman regarding this matter. 

It was proposed by the Chair of the Standards Committee, Councillor Carol Wooldridge, seconded by the Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee Councillor Jacqui Mort, and subsequently

Resolved (unanimously)

1.         To review and note the complaint and the decision of Standards Committee in relation to the conduct of Cllr Barrie Yates.

2.         To support the recommendation that there be a review of the Code of Conduct for Members with an emphasis on

a. Simplifying the code and aligning with legislation the recommendations of the Office for Standards in Public Life; and specifically

b. Consideration of standardising the code of conduct across South Ribble BC and Chorley BC.

3.         That the Monitoring Officer be tasked with establishing a cross party and stakeholder working group to undertake the review and for the working group to present recommendations to Council for consideration and if approved adoption in due course.