Agenda and minutes

Venue: by Video Conference

Contact: Katie Brewer 

Media

Items
No. Item

1.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were no apologies for absence.

2.

Minutes of Previous Meeting pdf icon PDF 114 KB

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Standards Committee held on 18 November 2020, copy attached.

Minutes:

It was proposed by Mr Tucker seconded by Cllr Crittenden and agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 November are a correct record.

3.

Declarations of Interest pdf icon PDF 113 KB

To receive any declarations of interest.  Members are advised to consider the advice contained within the Declaration of Interest advice attached to this Agenda.  If a Member declares an interest, they should complete the Declaration of Interest Form 

 

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest.

4.

Chair's Report pdf icon PDF 73 KB

  • View the background to item 4.

Minutes:

The Chair presented his report to the Committee. There were no questions.

5.

Full Council Questions from members of the public pdf icon PDF 91 KB

  • View the background to item 5.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Whitehead spoke under council procedure rule 20.1

 

Nicholas Hughes, Committee Services Manager, presented the report noting that a previous report on extending the word limit for questions had been to council in Dec 2020 and Council had not raised any objections to the extension but did return it to the CRWP to look into an appeals process and the right to ask supplementary questions.

 

He explained that the CRWP had recommended to the Standards Committee the following:

 

1. It was decided not to recommend to the Standards Committee the introduction of an appeals process for rejected questions.

2. That the Standards Committee discuss further whether to allow Members of the public to ask supplementary questions.

3. That, when the Chief Executive considers rejecting a question, they should consult with the Chairman of the Council first.

4. That information on the process for submitting questions and the support available is shared at full council and on social media.

 

The Committee then discussed the report and made the following points:

·  The public are told the specific reason why if their question is rejected.

·  The appeals process was widely considered unnecessary.

·  All questions received are put in the agenda, if time runs out during the meeting any remaining questions would be answered in writing.

·  The previously proposed increase of the word limit for questions from 50 to 150 words would allow for additional comments to be made within the original question. Consequently it was felt by some that supplementary questions would not be necessary.

·  Concern was raised that supplementary questions would create opportunity for making a personal attack or attempting to catch out councillors.

·  It was considered that it would add another layer of confidence for the public if questions which are likely to be rejected for subjective reasons were shared with the Chair to gain their opinion as well.

·  Rejected questions already go to the Monitoring Officer and then to the Chief Executive, so are already seen by more than one person.

 

It was proposed by Mr Tucker and seconded by Cllr Kup and agreed by Members that the Standards Committee recommend to Council that:

·  Full Council does not introduce an appeals process for rejected questions.

 

It was proposed by Mr Tucker and seconded by Mr Lorenzo that the Standards Committee recommend to Council that:

·  Full Council allows members of the public to ask supplementary questions.

 

This proposal was put to a vote and FELL.

 

It was proposed by Mr Tucker and seconded by Cllr Fellows and agreed by Members that the Standards Committee recommend to Council that:

·  Full Council does not allow members of the public to ask supplementary questions.

 

It was proposed by Mr Tucker and seconded by Cllr Crittenden and agreed by Members that the Standards Committee recommend to Council that:

·  When the Chief Executive considers rejecting a question, they should consult with the Chair of the Council first.

 

It was proposed by Mr Tucker and seconded by Cllr Fellows and agreed by Members that the Standards Committee  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

6.

Standards Complaint Statistics pdf icon PDF 48 KB

Minutes:

Members noted the Standards statistics for March 2020 to March 2021.