Activity

Action/Progress

Timescale

CODE OF CONDUCT

To consider the changing requirements of central government in respect of the ethical standards regime

To comment on and thereby influence future government legislation and guidance.

Before consultation process is announced:

Send letter to the Secretary of State urging effective consultation process, possibly in cooperation with other SCs

After consultation process is announced:

a)Chairman/MO to prepare draft response for consideration  by Committee

b)MO to have delegated powers to deal with urgent responses in consultation with Chairman

Comment within time limits set by consultation process keeping Members up-to- date at Committee meetings and by e-mail when necessary

MO to investigate position in other Kent SCs and, in consultation with the Chairman, write to the Secretary of State in September

Decision at  September meeting

To liaise with other local standards networks on good practice

Independent Co-opted Members to attend Kent/Medway Independent Standards Committee Liaison Group, work with other local authorities  and report back to the  Committee

New developments e.g. toolkits to be reported to and discussed by the Committee.

MO to report to Committee in December on SfE’’s “Working with Parishes” Protocol and on MBC’s Partnerships Protocol

Monitoring the role and effectiveness of the Committee

Monitoring take up and effectiveness of training, monitoring complaints, reviewing practice against national best practice advice

Ongoing

Annual Return to Standards for England (or to another national body)

Chairman/MO to prepare in February 2011

Issue Return to SfE ( or other body) as required

Chairman’s Annual Report

Discussion in Committee in April 2011

Consider wider circulation within MBC

Report to Council in June 2011

Circulate to Parish Clerks and add to MBC’s website

Forward Plan

Regular monitoring

Add as a standing item to the agenda for Committee meetings

Consider dispensation requests from Parish and Borough Councillors

Deal with requests expeditiously when received

Urgent requests to be determined by Sub-Committee

Promote the use of the pro forma

Ongoing

COMPLAINTS PROCESS

(CODE OF CONDUCT)

Operate the local complaints process

To carry out the work efficiently, choosing the most effective and economical means to fulfil the Committee’s statutory duties

Ongoing

Consideration of complaints and 6-monthly  Returns

Monitoring

MO to prepare 6-monthly report to Committee in December 2010

Monitor progress of investigations

MO to agree work plan  for each investigation in consultation with Chairman of Sub-Committee taking account of SfE’s guidance

Decision at September meeting

TRAINING

Regular training for Borough, Parish Representatives and Independent Members and Parish Members and Clerks on the Ethical Framework

Ongoing training for Borough, Parish Representatives and Independent Members and Parish Members and Clerks

Continue the bi-monthly programme to start 4 October 2010

Training for Members of the Standards Committee on the work of the Assessment Sub-Committees

Training for new Members to include refresher training for existing Members

New Member training as required

Refresher training on annual basis

Guidance for MBC Officers on how to complain about Members’ conduct

Review MBC complaints and grievance advice for MBC Officers

Consider at December 2010  meeting

MO to provide current guidance given to Officers ahead of December meeting

Review and Monitor Training on the Code of Conduct

Identify further training and evaluate feedback from training sessions.

Training Officer to set up arrangements to survey all Borough and Parish Councillors and Parish Clerks on the  effectiveness of their training

Training Officer to report feedback annually to Committee

Decision at September meeting

Consider recommending to Council that it request all Borough Councillors to undergo initial and periodic refresher training on the Code of Conduct

Discussion in Committee

2011-2012

To consider how to integrate Equality Act 2006 and Human Rights Act 1998 into the training

Discussion in Committee

2011-2012

WORKING WITH MBC

Chairman of Standards Committee to meet the Leader of the Council, Group Leaders, Chief Executive with Monitoring Officer

To promote and enhance the ethical agenda, raise status of work of the Committee, outline ways by which the Committee can support the Council as part of MBC’s accountability to the public

Meet on a six monthly basis

Committee to consider topics for discussion at September meeting

Chairman to report back to Committee

Chairman of Standards Committee to meet Chairmen of Audit/Overview and Scrutiny Committees

Exchange information to complement and not duplicate effort, and to review arrangements for dealing with complaints

Meet on a six monthly basis

Arrange meeting as soon as possible, set timetable for future meetings

Standards for England Partnership Behaviour Protocol

To consider the ethical governance aspects of the partnership arrangements entered into by the Council

MO to report to Committee on MBC Protocol for discussion in December 2010

Publication of the Members’ Register of Interests, Gifts and Hospitality on Council’s web site

Consider public accessibility on website  and data protection issues

Regular monitoring by Committee

Janet Barnes to report to Committee  in December 2010 

Discussion in Committee on monitoring procedures in 2011

Appointment of Independent Chairman, and Vice-Chairman

Independent Chairman, and Vice-Chairman to be appointed annually

Appointed at first meeting after Annual Council Meeting

Review policy and practice of recruiting Independent and Parish Members

Consider standardising recruitment procedure and length of service of Independent and Parish Members

Chairman to meet KALC to discuss appointment of Parish representatives

Discussion in Committee in December

Recruitment of 2 Independent Members and 1 Parish Member at end of 3 year term

Advertisements January 2011

Appointment in May 2011

Deputy Monitoring Officer/legal support

Consider ways the new shared legal working arrangements to provide effective support to Committee and can minimise delay in dealing with complaints and investigations

Chairman to raise with Leaders and CEO at meeting in September 2010

Consideration of MBC complaints and quarterly reports

Monitoring

Officers to prepare quarterly reports to Committee on regular basis

Undertake an audit of the awareness of ethics and standards amongst Officers and Members at the Borough and Parish Councils

Discuss with Audit Committee and Leaders/CEO  whether an internal ethical questionnaire would be beneficial given cost

Chairman to raise at meetings with Leaders/ CEO and Audit Committee in 2010

Standards Committee Independent and Parish Members encouraged to attend Council meetings

To obtain greater understanding of the workings of the Council

For individual Members to decide according to personal preference and availability

DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION

Disseminate information, guidance, toolkits to Committee to raise awareness and stimulate discussion of current issues at Committee meetings

Reports to Committee, monitoring and updating website, issuing standards bulletins, introduction of speakers at Committee meetings to stimulate discussion

To be considered at regular intervals at Committee meetings

Invite CEO to address Committee in December and the Leader of the Council and other Group Leaders in due course

RAISING AWARENESS

Promoting awareness of role and work of the Standards Committee both internally and with the public

Press releases,  increased and up-to-date information on website to show importance of standards in public life, integrated with MBC media strategy

Ongoing

Develop media strategy to fit in with MBC’s media plans