Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 18th September 2023 were confirmed as a true record and signed.

For information, disclosable pecuniary interests and registrable interests relate to entries that are included, or should be included, on a councillor’s register of interest.  Non-registrable interests relate to any other matters.

No disclosures were made.

No questions were received.

No questions had been received.

A report of the deputy Monitoring Officer to brief members about the annual review of the Council’s Constitution and those parts of the Constitution that relate to the roles of the Committee.

Considered a report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer providing the Committee with a briefing about the annual review of the Council’s Constitution.

The Head of Planning and Regrowth attended the meeting virtually to assist in its consideration.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer, in referencing the role of the Committee, noted that councillors had been consulted on any changes they may have wished to propose but that she had not received any proposals.  The Planning Service Review 2023 had put forward several suggestions and these amendments had been agreed by Cabinet and Full Council and came into effect on 1st December 2023.

RESOLVED that the Committee noted the report.

Reason

To enable the Committee’s views to form part of the annual review of the Council’s Constitution.

A report of the deputy Monitoring Officer providing an update on complaints received about breaches of the Code of Conduct and any issues arising from those complaints.

Considered a report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer providing an update on complaints received about breaches of the members’ Code of Conduct and any issues arising from those complaints (item 6 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Deputy Monitoring Officer noted that since the last meeting there had been one Parish Council complaint that was still in the fact finding stage.

RESOLVED that the current position in respect of complaints about breaches of the Members’ Code of Conduct that have been received be noted.

Reason

To keep the Committee informed about complaints.

A report of the deputy Monitoring Officer to enable the Committee to agree a work programme to plan its future business.

Considered a report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer enabling the Committee to agree a work programme to plan its future business (item 7 on the agenda filed with these minutes).

The Deputy Monitoring Officer proposed that the Regular Review of Members Code of Conduct and Planning Code item on the work programme be updated to include a list of the protocols that were under the remit of the Committee and that the Review of the Constitution item be removed.

RESOLVED

1.     that the Regular Review of the Members Code of Conduct and Planning Code be updated from two yearly to an annual review;

2.     that the Committee’s current work programme be noted and updated in accordance with decisions taken during the consideration of this item and other items on the agenda.

Reasons

1.     Members considered it would be beneficial to review these protocols and others under its remit on a more frequent basis.

2.     To enable the Committee to identify future items of business and enable planning for future meetings to be undertaken.