Issue - meetings

This item was withdrawn.

Report to follow.

Tim Howes, Director of Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer presented the report.

Members raised questions and the following changes were proposed:

·  It was suggested that the number of Members of the Council on the Disciplinary Appeals Committee should be increased from 3 to 5.

·  The wording in part d) regarding the membership of Disciplinary Appeals Committee should be clarified.

·  Reference made to the independent investigator and where they fit into the process and where members of the executive have a role.

·  Adjustments should be made to the flow chart at Annex 3 to reflect the above.

It was proposed by Councillor Stevens, seconded by Councillor Dennis and AGREED:

To make recommendations to Standards Committee subject to the amendments made in the meeting:

a) to extend the terms of reference of the General Purposes Committee, as set out in Annex 1;

b) to appoint a Disciplinary Appeals Committee and agree its terms of reference, as set out in Annex 1, and agree the Committee should comprise three Members of the Council appointed on a politically proportionate basis;

c) to appoint an Independent Persons Panel, agree its terms of reference, as set out in Annex 1, and agree that it should comprise three Independent Persons;

d) to agree to pay a fee to Independent Persons appointed to the Independent Persons Panel equal to the agreed rate paid in respect of their role in advising Council on Councillor Conduct issues;

e) to amend the Employment Rules, as set out in Annex 2;

f) to delegate to the Committee Services Manager authority to invite and appoint members to serve on the Independent Persons Panel as set out in paragraph 5 of the report, and;

g) to delegate to the Chief Executive the authority to suspend the S.151 Officer or the Monitoring Officer in cases of urgency, as set out in paragraph 9