Issue - meetings

That the amended Flintshire Standard be adopted.

The Chief Officer (Governance) presented a report on the outcome of a review of the Flintshire Standard within the Local Resolution Protocol which set out expected standards of behaviour from Members in dealing with each other and officers.  Following consultation, the changes proposed by Group Leaders and officers had been supported by the Standards Committee together with a further amendment on the timing of the complaints process.

In October 2019, the Constitution and Democratic Services Committee had endorsed all the revisions and recommended that the standards of behaviour also apply to Member when using social media in their official capacity and that the Local Resolution Procedure make provision for non-aligned (ungrouped) Members.

Councillor Richard Jones said that the standards of behaviour appeared to be over-prescriptive as mutual respect should be part of general behaviour.

During discussion, Councillors Roberts and Bithell both spoke in support of the Flintshire Standard.  The Chief Officer provided explanation on the rationale behind some of the wording in the Standard which, whilst not restricting political expression, would ensure that officers were specifically excluded from the scope of political comments.

The Chief Executive thanked Group Leaders for their work on the Standard during the consultation.

The Chief Officer noted Councillor Dunbobbin’s suggestion that Town and Community Councils should be encouraged to adopt the Flintshire Standard.

As Chairman of the Constitution & Democratic Services Committee, Councillor Palmer moved the recommendation which was seconded by Councillor Roberts.  On being put to the vote, it was supported.

RESOLVED:

That the amended Flintshire Standard be adopted.