Issue - meetings

To submit the report of the Propriety and Elections Manager

To approve the Annual Report of the Standards Committee for 2024/25.

Presented – the Monitoring Officer's annual report asking for any comments from the committee before being presented to the Full Council at its next meeting. It was noted that a great deal of issues had been addressed during the year and that the Committee had dealt with requests for dispensations in areas of importance for town councils as well as Members who had applied.

It was explained that the standards committee had an important role in promoting high standards of behaviour and that it was a core part of the committee's work. The committee achieved this through a combination of on-demand advice, proactive advice and training – training on and an understanding of the Code of Conduct gave members a foundation upon which they could familiarise themselves with the basics of the code. It was noted that this was particularly related to the personal interests’ provisions, where they arose and how to respond. Disappointment was expressed with the number of members who still hadn't attended the full courses that had taken place.

It was asked if the members completed the training on-line, would this information be public? It was confirmed that this was noted and that this information was available on-line.

DECISION

To approve the Annual Report of the Standards Committee 2024/25