Agenda and minutes

The Head of Committee and Governance Services to report any changes to the membership.

There were no changes to the membership.  The Chairman introduced Mr Gerard McEvilly (Independent Person) who was attending his first meeting.

To receive declarations by Members and Officers of the existence and nature of any personal or prejudicial interests in matters on this agenda.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

To sign the minutes of the meeting held on 19 November 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19 November 2015 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record of the proceedings.

Report of the Director of Law.

4.1     Tasnim Shawkat, Director of Law, introduced the report.  She advised that a meeting had been held with all of the Independent Persons and their input reflected in the report.

4.2     The draft Code had also been sent to and discussed with the Leader, Deputy Leaders and Chief Whips of both groups.

4.3     The Chairman asked Mr McEvilly to advise of any issues which had been raised by the Independent Persons but had not been reflected in the report.  Mr McEvilly advised that the only issue was if the Nolan Principles should be included in the Code and if so either at the beginning or appended to the Code.

4.4     The Committee that a reference to the Nolan Principles be included at the beginning of the Code and a summary of penalties set out as a footnote.  It would, however, be made clear that these did not form part of the Code.

4.5     During the course of the discussion Members made minor drafting suggestions which the Director of Law advised would be reflected in drafting updates.  It was also noted that the flow chart required updating.

4.6     The Committee also welcomed the suggestion that a pocket size guide to the Code and a plain English version be produced.

Resolved:

(i)       That the revised Members Code of Conduct, Appendix A to the report be recommended for adoption and the General Purposes Committee be asked to recommend to the Council its inclusion in the Council’s Constitution and the Monitoring Officer be authorised to make minor drafting adjustments including those suggested by the Committee in consultation with the Chairman and the Committee.

(ii)      That training in the new code for all Members and Co-opted Members be provided for all members by the Monitoring Officer and the take up to be reported in the next meeting.

(iii)      That all Members be asked to confirm their compliance with the Code by signing the declaration generally upon election.

(iv)     That the dispensation arrangements previously approved and set out in paragraph 3.6 of the report be endorsed subject to the Monitoring Officer making any necessary drafting changes to ensure clarity.

Report of the Head of Committee and Governance Services.

5.1     Members asked that a more detailed report be submitted to the next meeting.

          Resolved:  That a more detailed report be submitted to the next meeting.

Report of the Head of Committee and Governance Services.

6.1     The Committee asked that a report on Data Protection be added for consideration at a future meeting.

6.2     The Committee asked again when Members were to be provided with a current structure chart and directory as expected in _________communication within any large organisations.

          Resolved:  That subject to 6.1 above the Work Programme be approved.

To receive any other business which the Chairman considers urgent.