Issue - meetings

The Committee to consider a report following the recent meeting of the Standards Working Group that considered the report “Local Government Ethical Standards - Committee on Standards in Public Life”

The Committee to consider a report following the recent meeting of the Standards Working Group that considered the report “Local Government Ethical Standards - Committee on Standards in Public Life”

The Deputy Monitoring Officer advised that the Standards Committee had met in January 2020 and had considered the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life in detail.  The Working Group supported all of these 25 recommendations.

The Democratic and Member Services Manager advised that notification had been received by the Local Government Association that that the Committee’s comments on the draft Model Code of Conduct had been received.

The Committee made comment, asked questions and heard:

·         The recommendations were supported by the Committee

·         Concern was raised regarding the recommendation that Councillor’s addresses are not published.  It was recognised that this was around safety issues.

·         It was suggested that it is recommended to the Standards Committee of the West Northants Unitary Authority that it considers the recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

·         Councillors should be clearly visible during remote meetings, having their camera on at all times.

RESOLVED:

It was resolved that:

(1)  The Committee supports the 25 recommendations of the Committee on Standards in Public Life.

(2)  When published, the draft Member Code of Conduct, as produced by the Local Government Association, is presented to the Standards Committee for consideration.

(3)  It is recommended to the West Northamptonshire Unitary Authority that when published, the draft Member Code of Conduct, as produced by the Local Government Association, is presented to its Standards Committee for consideration.