About
7.4.1 The Standards Committee has the following functions:
(a) to promote and maintain high standards of conduct of Members and Co-opted Members of the Council;
(b) to advise and assist Town and Parish Councils and Councillors to maintain high standards of conduct and to make recommendations to Town and Parish Councils on improving standards or actions following a finding of failure by a Town and Parish Councillor to comply with its Code of Conduct;
(c) to manage complaints on behalf of Town and Parish Councils;
(d) to advise the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members’ Code of Conduct;
(e) to receive referrals from the Monitoring Officer into allegations of misconduct in accordance with the council’s assessment criteria;
(f) to receive reports from the Monitoring Officer and assess the operation and effectiveness of the Members’ Code of Conduct;
(g) to train Members and Co-opted Members to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct;
(h) to assist Members and co-opted Members to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct;
(i) to hear and determine complaints about Members and Co- Opted Members referred to it by the Monitoring Officer;
(j) to advise the Council upon the contents of and requirements for codes/protocols/other procedures relating to standards or conduct throughout the council;
(k) to maintain an oversight of the council’s arrangements for dealing with complaints;
(l) to inform the Council and the Chief Executive of relevant issues arising from the determination of Code of Conduct complaints;
(m) to appoint the Standards Sub-Committee drawn from three members of the Committee which will exercise, on a delegated basis, the functions as set out in the Sub- Committee terms of reference. The committee should reflect Member representation where practicable;
(n) to exercise the power to consider and grant dispensations to Members where:
(i) the number of Members precluded from transacting the business is so great that it would impede the business of the Council, committee or Executive; or
(ii) the political balance is affected to the extent that it could affect the outcome of a vote relating to the business.
Standards meetings are webcast here.