Issue - meetings

The Standards Committee is responsible for ethical governance and promoting high standards of conduct of councillors. This report was deferred from the previous meeting of the committee to allow the flowchart to be redrafted in consultation with the committee members.

This report seeks the approval of the revised guidance flowchart, which aims to assist councillors determine whether they have a declarable interest and whether participation at a meeting would be appropriate.

In recognition of its responsibility for ethical governance and promoting high standards of conduct, the Committee received a report setting out guidance to assist councillors in determining whether they have a declarable interest in a particular matter and whether their participation at a meeting would be appropriate. It was explained that the matter had been deferred at the previous meeting of the committee to allow the flowchart to be redrafted in consultation with the members of the Committee.

The report sought approval of the revised guidance flowchart and the intention was that the flowchart would be attached to the agenda for all meetings to ensure that councillors were always fully aware of the obligations placed upon them. The Committee welcomed and fully supported this approach.

RESOLVED

That the declaration of interest guidance flowchart be approved and  included on all meeting agenda front sheets to serve as a reminder and guidance for councillors and that, in order to point councillors to the flowchart, the wording of the standard agenda item be such as to specifically invite councillors to make any declarations in accordance with and with reference to the flowchart.