Issue - meetings

To provide feedback from the Ethical Liaison Meeting held on 27^th June 2022.

(a)       That the Committee implements the new duty to comment on compliance

by Group Leaders with their duty to promote good behaviour as discussed

and agreed at the Ethical Liaison Meeting; and

(b)       That Group Leaders be notified of the process adopted.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report to provide feedback from the Ethical Liaison Meeting held on 27 June 2022.  He advised that the meeting had discussed and agreed how the Standards Committee should implement its new duty to comment on compliance with the Group Leaders’ duty to promote good behaviour in its annual report.  The Monitoring Officer explained that failure to comply with the new duty was to be regarded as a potential breach of the Code of Conduct by a Group Leader. How the Committee reported on levels of compliance was of significant importance.  The notes of the Ethical Liaison Meeting held on 27 June 2022 were appended to the report.

In response to a question from Gill Murgatroyd around consultation with Group Leaders the Monitoring Officer confirmed that documentation about the proposed process had been circulated to all Group Leaders to give the opportunity to contribute and respond.   Following discussion the Monitoring Officer agreed to contact the Group Leaders who had not responded to seek confirmation that they had no comment on the proposals.  The Monitoring Officer reiterated that the Standards Committee had a duty to produce an Annual Report within 12 months which included comment on the levels of compliance of Group Leaders.

The recommendation in the report was moved by Jacqueline Guest and seconded by Councillor Teresa Carberry.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the Committee implements the new duty to comment on compliance

by Group Leaders with their duty to promote good behaviour as discussed

and agreed at the Ethical Liaison Meeting; and

(b)       That Group Leaders be notified of the process adopted.