Issue - meetings

To advise the Standards Committee of the dispensations granted to Councillors by the Monitoring Officer during the period 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024

The Monitoring Officer presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was advised of the dispensations granted to councillors by the Monitoring Officer during the period 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024. Details of the dispensations and the related business and meetings these had applied to were set out in paragraphs 1 to 6 of the report.

The Monitoring Officer was asked why there has been a need to request dispensations for the debates on Safety Valve and EHCPs. She explained that this was due to the nature of individual interests and the difficulty in containing the debate on a strategic level. The Committee was advised of the factors considered by the Monitoring Officer when deciding whether or not to grant a dispensation, including the number of councillors affected and the potential impact on the debate. The aim of the report was to promote transparency by informing the Committee of such decisions.

RESOLVED that the dispensations granted by the Monitoring Officer during the period 1 January 2024 to 31 March 2024 be noted.

Voting: Unanimous