Agenda and minutes
Venue: Council Chamber, Council Offices, Cecil Street, Margate, Kent. View directions
Contact: Katie Brewer
Media
No. | Item |
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Apologies for Absence Minutes: Apologies were received from Lee Wellbrook and Dennis James. |
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Minutes of Previous Meeting To approve the Minutes of the meeting of Standards Committee held on 9 March 2021, copy attached. Minutes: 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. |
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Declarations of Interest 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. |
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Minutes: 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. |
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Member Parental Leave Policy Additional documents: Minutes: 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. |
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Standards Complaint Statistics Minutes: Members noted the statistics. |