Issue - meetings

To advise as to the need to fill a vacancy on the Committee and the opportunity to advertise for the vacancy on a joint basis with the Fire Authority.

(a)       That agreement be sought from the Fire Authority to jointly advertise with the Council for a lay member to the authorities’ respective Standards Committees, and the possibility of a joint appointment with the Fire Authority be explored; and

(b)       That a joint interview panel be established which comprised of the Chairs of the Standards Committees of the Council  and the Fire Authority, a Community Councillor, a lay member, and the Chair of the Fire Authority.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report and commented on the vacancy on the Standards Committee for a lay member.  He advised that the Fire Authority was also seeking to appoint a lay member to its Standards Committee which had presented an opportunity to consider jointly advertising for the appointment and the possibility of a joint appointment to reduce costs and provide greater prominence to the advertising campaign.

                        In response to the questions raised, the Monitoring Officer explained that the term of office for a lay member of the Committee was to be no less than four and no more than six years.  Regulations required an appointment panel to be set up and specific criteria to be established for any lay member appointment to the Committee.  During discussion it was suggested that a joint interview panel could be established with the Fire Authority comprising of the Chair of the Standards Committee in both the Council  and the Fire Authority, a Community Councillor, a lay member, and the Chair of the Fire Authority. This would make, in total, two representatives from the Council, two representatives from the Fire Authority, and a lay person. 

During a discussion the recommendation to seek agreement from the Fire Authority to jointly advertise with the Council for a lay member to the authorities’ respective Standards Committees was approved, and the possibility of a joint appointment with the Fire Authority be explored.  Councillor Patrick Heesom referred to the suggested joint interview panel and proposed that this also be approved which was seconded by Councillor Arnold Woolley.

                        In response to the comments made by Councillor Johnson concerning gender balance and membership of the Committee, the Monitoring Officer acknowledged the points raised and said he would speak to the communications team to seek a broad range of applicants for consideration.  He suggested that he circulate copies of the criteria approved by the Council for  recruiting independent members to the Committee for information.

            RESOLVED:

 (a)      That agreement be sought from the Fire Authority to jointly advertise with the Council for a lay member to the authorities’ respective Standards Committees, and the possibility of a joint appointment with the Fire Authority be explored; and

(b)       That a joint interview panel be established which comprised of the Chairs of the Standards Committees of the Council  and the Fire Authority, a Community Councillor, a lay member, and the Chair of the Fire Authority.