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Standards and Governance Committee - Tuesday, 11th June, 2024 1.30 pm

June 11, 2024 View on council website

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Summary

The Standards and Governance Committee of Westmorland and Furness Council met on 11 June 2024 to discuss the Draft Standards and Governance Committee Annual Report 2023/24 and the Complaints Monitoring Report for Westmorland and Furness Council and Town and Parish Councils. The committee resolved to amend the draft annual report and refer it to the Full Council in May 2024. They also received the complaints monitoring report and discussed measures to reduce frivolous complaints.

Draft Standards and Governance Committee Annual Report 2023/24

The Chair introduced the Draft Standards and Governance Committee Annual Report 2023/24. The report summarises the committee's work over the past year and will be presented at the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2024. Members discussed minor amendments to the report, including a summary of the work of the Constitutional Review Working Group to highlight efforts to ensure the constitution is robust and dynamic. They also requested that the report reflect collaboration with the Cumbrian Association of Local Councils (CALC) and suggested inviting a CALC representative to a future meeting.

The committee resolved to:

  1. Amend the draft Annual Report 2023/24 as discussed and refer it to Full Council in May 2024.
  2. Delegate authority to the Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer, in consultation with the Chair, to make minor amendments to Appendix 1 of the report.

Complaints Monitoring Report for Westmorland and Furness Council and Town and Parish Councils

The Interim Deputy Chief Legal and Monitoring Officer presented the Complaints Monitoring Report, which covers complaints received from the Legacy Councils, Town and Parish Councils, and Westmorland and Furness Councillors. The report highlighted a significant reduction in the number of open cases and detailed the number of complaints recently closed.

Members discussed the time required to investigate each case and the potential for a filter to reduce frivolous complaints. They emphasised the need for wider consultation and training for Town and Parish Councils to help reduce the number of complaints.

The committee resolved to receive the report and the updated complaints summary at Appendix 1.

Attendees

Profile image for Trevor Biggins
Trevor Biggins Labour • Risedale and Roosecote
Profile image for Hilary Carrick
Hilary Carrick Leader of the Conservative Group • Conservative • Hesket and Lazonby
Profile image for Will Clark
Will Clark Liberal Democrats • Windermere and Ambleside
Profile image for Andy Connell
Andy Connell Liberal Democrats • Appleby and Brough
Profile image for Helen Ladhams
Helen Ladhams Liberal Democrats • Kendal Castle
Profile image for Jane Murphy
Jane Murphy Labour • Risedale and Roosecote
Profile image for Matt Severn
Matt Severn Liberal Democrats • Kendal Highgate
Profile image for Tony Callister
Tony Callister Labour • Dalton South

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

Meeting Documents

Agenda

Agenda frontsheet 11th-Jun-2024 13.30 Standards and Governance Committee
Agenda Item No. 11 Complaints Monitoring Report for Westmorland and Furness Council and Town and Par

Reports Pack

Public reports pack 11th-Jun-2024 13.30 Standards and Governance Committee

Additional Documents

Printed minutes 21032024 1330 Standards and Governance Committee
Terms of Reference of the Standards and Governance Committee
Appendix 1 for Terms of Reference of the Standards and Governance Committee
Standards and Governance Committee Work Programme 202425
Appendix 1 for Register of Interests Form for Officers
Update on receipt of completed Declaration of Interest Forms - Westmorland and Furness Council and T
Appendix 1 for Standards and Governance Committee Work Programme 202425
Report on the Work of the Constitutional Review Working Group
Register of Interests Form for Officers
Complaints Monitoring Report for Westmorland and Furness Council and Town and Parish Councils
Appendix 1 for Complaints Monitoring Report for Westmorland and Furness Council and Town and Parish
Updated Appendix 1 - Code of Conduct Complaints Received - SG Committee - June 2024
Printed minutes 11th-Jun-2024 13.30 Standards and Governance Committee