Decision

RESOLVED: That the Committee noted the guidance attached at Appendix 2 titled ‘The Golden Triangle: Governance Roles and Responsibilities’.

RECOMMENDED TO FULL COUNCIL: That Full Council approve and adopt the Monitoring Officer Protocol into the Constitution, subject to the comments and changes put forward by the Standards Committee.

REASON FOR RECOMMENDATION:

(1)  The role of the Monitoring Officer has expanded over recent years. Monitoring Officers are also required to act as consultants to anyone within the Council on matters of legality, maladministration, and impropriety.

(2)  It is therefore considered that it would be good practice for the Council to introduce an appropriate Protocol.

(3)  In August 2025, Lawyers in Local Government (LLG), the Chartered Institute for Public Finance & Accountancy (CIPFA) and the Society for Local Authority Chief Executives & Senior Managers (SOLACE) collaborated to produce a new guide: ‘The Golden Triangle: Governance Roles and Responsibilities’ (attached at Appendix 2). Members are invited to give consideration to this guidance to enhance their overall understanding of the interwoven nature of the roles of the three statutory officers within the Council.