Issue - meetings

This report provides Members with an update on complaints regarding alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct against councillors received or concluded since 1 January 2020. A similar report was presented to the Committee in January 2020 for the period from 1 April 2019.

The Committee is responsible for maintaining high standards of conduct by Members of BCP Council and the Town and Parish Councils, monitoring the operation of the Code of Conduct, and considering the outcome of commissioned independent investigations.

The Head of Democratic Services 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 report provided Members with an update on complaints of alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by Councillors received or concluded since 1 January 2020. A similar report had been presented to the Committee in January 2020 for the period from 1 April 2019 and a report in this format would now be included as a standard item at all future meetings.

The Committee noted the impact of the coronavirus pandemic upon the provision of training and refresher sessions for Councillors on Code of Conduct matters. Notwithstanding this, the Committee underlined its commitment to provision of quality training delivered to Councillors through the virtual, on-line format and the Council’s on-line facility now included a suite of training aimed at Councillors.  Members also emphasised the importance of effectively targeting the training towards where it was most needed and, in parallel, ensuring it was appropriate for the needs of elected members. It was agreed that a meeting between the training providers and a small group of Councillors from the Standards Committee would be beneficial and could potentially positively influence the style and content of training.

The challenge of ensuring as high as possible engagement was recognised. The emphasis remained upon individuals but there were opportunities identified for Group Leaders to have a role in promoting attendance and monitoring take-up.

Once again, the Committee underlined its view about the importance of training in Code of Conduct issues and strongly recommended participation by all Councillors.

The Committee was advised about the work being undertaken by the Local Government Association on production of a new Code of Conduct and the introduction of the new Code would be a further opportunity for targeted training.

RESOLVED that

(a) the outcome of concluded complaints and the progress of those still outstanding be noted; and

(b) a small group of Councillors comprising the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee and Councillor A Jones meet with the training provider to discuss style and content of future training events.

Voting: Unanimous.