Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from Lee Wellbrook and Dennis James.

To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Standards Committee held on 9 March 2021, copy attached.

Mr Tucker proposed, Cllr Fellows seconded and members agreed that the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2021 be approved and signed as a correct record.

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 

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chair gave a brief verbal update on the work of the Standards Committee, commenting that:

-  There had only been one complaint regarding member behaviour since the last meeting of the Standards Committee.

-  The CRWP also met once to comment on the draft Member Parental Leave Policy.

Nick Hughes, Committee Services Manager, introduced the report.

He outlined the report and made the following points:

-  The policy was aimed at those considering becoming councillors, more than those currently in the position.

-  One third of female councillors at childbearing age found a lack of maternity leave to be a barrier to fulfilling their role.

-  A councillor on parental leave would always be entitled to the basic allowance, the policy only related to Special Responsibility Allowances.

-  The policy agreed a blanket acceptance that parental leave was an acceptable reason for an extension of time as per section 85 of the Local Government Act 1972; requiring attendance of at least one meeting in any six month period.

-  The Constitutional Review Working Party highlighted that the policy also covered adoption leave and that TDC would be amongst the first councils in Kent to adopt it.

-  The CRWP also felt that comparing the compensations and benefits of the vastly different roles of officers and councillors wasn’t reasonable.

During discussion it was noted that:

-  There would be communication between the person on parental leave and any appointed replacement, but the role itself would be only undertaken by the replacement.

-  The councillor on parental leave would continue to have voting rights at Full Council.

-  Options 2 & 3 in the report were considered most generous and viewed favourably.

Following discussion a vote was taken on options 2 & 3. Cllr Kup proposed, Cllr Bayford seconded and members agreed that Option 2 be recommended to Full Council on 15 July 2021, namely:

-  6 months full pay of Special Responsibility Allowances where applicable, with any remaining leave being unpaid.

Members noted the statistics.