Minutes:
The Chairman of the Standards Committee presented the report of the meeting of the Committee held on 6 October 2016.
The Council had before it questions * submitted by Councillor Mrs J Roach in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2 with regard to Minute 23, together with responses from the Chief Executive.
The Council had before it questions * submitted by Councillors R J Dolley and J L Smith in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.2 with regard to Minute 23, together with responses from the Chief Executive.
Councillor Mrs J Roach asked a series of supplementary questions in accordance with Procedure Rule 13.10
Q1 - The answer should be no as the Subject Members were not given a pack
Q2 - She had an email which stated that it was suggested that they should not attend.
Q4 – I have evidence that the subject members should have seen additional information – an email from the Monitoring officer referring to a DCLG document, at what point was this given to the Standards Committee.
Q5 – If the DCLG document contained information regarding funding issues, if it was that document, then the document clearly showed that the accounting body was at fault.
Q6 – there should have been an Independent Person and the Subject Members should have had access to that Independent Person.
Q7 – She stated that the Subject Members did not receive a copy of the procedures.
The Chief Executive in reply stated that in response to:
Questions 1 and 2, in the absence of the Monitoring Officer, he was unable to comment
Question 3 – Councillor Davey had clarified and that both perspectives were true.
Question 4 - the District Council was the accountable body as this was a means for central Government to passport funding locally via the local authority grant mechanism. However whilst the Council did hold the finances with a system of releasing the funds, this did not absolve any third party from their responsibility.
Question 6 – with regard to the Independent Person, he was only reflecting on what he had been told since it was suggested this related to a discussion in 2014. However he felt that it would be better to resolve the issue forthwith, either by sharing or otherwise. It was clear that Members were keen to have the procedure refreshed and revised; a revised procedure would be brought forward by officers to address Members’ concerns.
Councillor Mrs J Roach MOVED that Procedure Rule 16.4 (length of speeches) be lifted, seconded by Councillor Mrs J B Binks, this was APPROVED.
Councillor Mrs J Roach MOVED, seconded by Councillor R M Deed that under Procedure Rule 15.1 (e) the issue be referred back to the Standards Committee.
Following debate, Councillor N A Way MOVED in accordance with Procedure Rule 19.4:
“THAT the vote in respect of this MOTION shall be by Roll Call”
A roll call of Members present at the meeting was then taken:
Those voting FOR the MOTION: Councillors Mrs E M Andrews, Mrs C P Daw, R M Deed, Mrs G Doe, J M Downes, S G Flaws, Mrs S Griggs, D J Knowles, Mrs J Roach, F J Rosamond, T W Snow, J D Squire, N A Way and R Wright.
Those voting AGAINST the MOTION: Councillors Mrs H Bainbridge, Mrs J B Binks, Mrs C A Collis, Mrs F J Colthorpe, D R Coren, W J Daw, C J Eginton, R Evans, P H D Hare-Scott, P J Heal, T G Hughes, Mrs B M Hull, B A Moore, R F Radford, C R Slade, Mrs M E Squires, R L Stanley.
Those ABSTAINING from voting: Councillors Mrs A R Berry, N V Davey, Miss C E L Slade and Mrs N Woollatt.
The MOTION was declared to have FAILED.
Notes: Councillors N V Davey and Mrs S Griggs declared personal interests as they were involved in the discussion that had taken place.