Issue - meetings

That subject to the further amendments detailed above the Flintshire Standard be recommended to Council for adoption.

The Monitoring Officer introduced a report to review the expected standards of behaviour contained within the Flintshire Standard/Local Resolution Procedure.  He provided background information and advised that both Members and Officers had wished to review the contents of the Flintshire Standard to expand and clarify the guidance within it and restate and reinforce the behaviours expected.  The amendments suggested by Officers and Group Leaders to the Standard were as detailed in the appendix to the report. 

During discussion the following further amendments were suggested by members of the Committee:

Page 15: the word ‘Chairman’ to be replaced by ‘Chair’ throughout

Page 15, final bullet point:  wording to  be amended to read ‘Members collectively and individually to ensure that officers are treated with respect at public meetings within the ward(s)’.

Page 17, paragraph 2:  Councillor Arnold Woolley commented on the need to address matters of poor behaviour quickly and expressed concerns about the 12 months timeframe referred to  The Monitoring Officer responded to the comments raised and provided clarification on procedures.  Following discussion it was agreed that the wording be amended to read ‘This procedure will therefore only apply to incidents or behaviour occurring in the 90 days prior to a complaint being made in writing to the Monitoring Officer’.

Page 18, paragraph 7: it was suggested that the wording ‘or a nominated substitute’ be considered if the Chief Executive was not available to attend a meeting

Page 18, paragraph 8:  the wording be amended to read ‘The purpose of this meeting will be to try to resolve the matter by conciliation.  If deemed necessary the Chief Executive can call on the Monitoring Officer and/or the Deputy Monitoring Officer for advice and assistance’.

Page 18, paragraph 9: the word ‘Standard’ be amended to read ‘Standards’.

The Monitoring Officer advised that the revised document would need to be considered by the Constitution & Democratic Services Committee prior to submission to Council for approval.

RESOLVED:

That subject to the further amendments detailed above the Flintshire Standard be recommended to Council for adoption.