Issue - meetings

The Committee considered the report of the Interim Deputy Head of Legal Partnership recommending that the term of office of Mrs Barbara Varney, the current Independent Person, be extended for a period of three years until 31 July 2020.  It was noted that:

·  The Localism Act 2011 places a statutory duty on the Council to appoint an Independent Person who must be consulted before any decision is taken on an investigated complaint of misconduct by a Borough or Parish Councillor.  The Independent Person may be consulted on other issues and by a Member who is the subject of a complaint.

·  On 24 July 2013 Mrs Barbara Varney, the current Independent Person, was appointed by the Council following her successful application and interview by a panel of Members for the position.

·  During the past four years Mrs Varney had been consulted on a number of Code of Conduct complaints and had continued to carry out the role to a high standard, consistently giving excellent support and advice.

·  The current term of office would expire on 31 July 2017, and the Council was required to appoint an Independent Person to meet its statutory obligation.

·  The Monitoring Officer and the current Independent Person had been consulted, and both were in agreement to the extension.

RESOLVED to RECOMMEND to the COUNCIL:  That the term of office of Mrs Barbara Varney, the current Independent Person, be extended for a period of three years until 31 July 2020.