Agenda and minutes

It was noted that apologies for absence had been received from Councillors Brindle, Greer, Ms Griffin, Mrs Hinder, Hotson, Pickett, Sams, Warner and Mrs Wilson.

There were no disclosures by Members or Officers.

There were no disclosures of lobbying.

RESOLVED:  That the items on the agenda be taken in public as proposed.

There were no petitions.

There were no questions from members of the public.

There were no questions from Members of the Council.

It was moved by Councillor Parvin, seconded by Councillor Mrs Stockell, that the recommendations contained in the report of the Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer relating to the adoption of a new Code of Conduct for Members and associated arrangements be approved.

RESOLVED:

1.  That the Kent Model Code of Conduct, which deals with the conduct expected of Members and Co-opted Members of this authority when they are acting in that capacity and is set out in Appendix 1 to the report of the Head of Legal Services and Monitoring Officer (the report), be adopted with effect from 5 July 2012.

2.  That the arrangements under which allegations of non-compliance with the Code can be investigated and under which decisions can be made, as set out in Appendix 2 to the report, be adopted with effect from 5 July 2012.

3.  That the Monitoring Officer be given delegated authority to make amendments to the arrangements to reflect the model arrangements intended to be adopted across the county of Kent.

4.  That the Terms of Reference of the new Standards Committee established by the Council at its meeting held on 20 June 2012 be as set out in Appendix 3 to the report.

5.  That the Executive be requested to make appropriate arrangements for the remuneration, expenses and insurance of the Independent Person and Substitute.

6.  That the Scheme of Officer Delegations be amended as from 5 July 2012 so as to confer on the Monitoring Officer the functions set out in Appendix 4 to the report.

7.  That the Council Procedure Rules set out in Appendix 5 to the report be adopted with effect from 5 July 2012.

8.  That the Monitoring Officer be requested to keep the Code and arrangements for dealing with allegations of failure to comply with the Code under review and to report further to the Standards Committee as he considers necessary.

6.00 p.m. to 6.15 p.m.