Decision details

RESOLVED

(i)              That the Minutes of the Joint Standards Committee held on 17 August 2021 be received.

The Council considered the following recommendations set out in the Minutes:

Minute No. 214 – Consultation on Complaints Process and Amendments to the Articles for Standards Arrangements

Councillor M G Bassenger, Chairman of the Joint Standards Committee, moved the recommendation detailed in the Minutes of the Committee. 

Councillor Mrs P A Channer referred to Group Leaders also being notified of any complaints received regarding a Group member.  She proposed an amendment to the recommendation that Group Leaders should be confidentially notified if a complaint was raised by one of their Members.  The amendment was duly seconded.

A debate ensured.  Following some discussion and advice from the Lead Legal Specialist and Monitoring Officer, Councillor Mrs Channer clarified her amendment that the Articles of the Constitution, Article 7- Standards Arrangements, Section 4, paragraph 3 (stage 1) be amended, requesting that Group Leaders also be notified of all complaints regarding a Group member.  This proposal was duly seconded.

In accordance with Procedure Rule No. 13 (3) Councillor C Morris requested a recorded vote.  This was duly seconded.  The Chairman put the proposal in the name of Councillor Mrs Channer and the voting was as follows:

For the recommendation:

Councillors Miss A M Beale, R G Boyce, Mrs P A Channer, M F L Durham, M R Edwards, A L Hull, KJ V Keyes, K M H Lagan, C Mayes, C P Morley,  S P Nunn, R H Siddall, E L Stephens, Mrs J C Stilts, Mrs M E Thompson and Miss S White.

Against the recommendation:

Councillors M G Bassenger, V J Bell, C Morris, W Stamp and C Swain.

Abstention:

Councillor M S Heard.

RESOLVED

(ii)            That subject to the above amendment, the changes to the Articles of the Constitution, Article 7 - Standards Arrangements and especially to the complaints process (as set out in Appendix 1 to the Minutes of the Joint Standards Committee), be approved.

RESOLVED

(iii)          that subject to the above decision, the Minutes of the Joint Standards Committee held on 17 August 2021 be agreed.