Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Peter Tomlinson and Independent Members Cliff Slade and Dr Philip Whiteman.

None.

Members of the public wishing to take part should notify the Assistant Director for Legal and Governance in writing or by e-mail indicating both the nature and content of their proposed participation no later than 9.00am on the working day before the meeting (in this case 20 October 2020).  Enquiries about this can be made through the telephone number/e-mail address listed below.

None.

To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2019. (previously circulated)

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2019 were approved as a correct record and would be signed by the Chairman.

The Committee considered the report enclosed with the agenda which set out details of progress with a proposed model Code of Conduct for Councillors being prepared by the Local Government Association.  The Committee had considered a draft of the Code informally and some members had attended webinars hosted by the LGA about the content of the draft.  Feedback submitted to the LGA on behalf of the Committee was enclosed with the report.

The Committee note the current situation.  Members commented that the pan-Worcestershire Code currently in operation was valued and would wish to be kept updated as the LGA draft passed through the LGA’s approval process.  It was agreed that the Committee would receive a further report about the LGA Code as appropriate.

RESOLVED that

(a)  The update about the LGA draft member Code of Conduct be noted; and

(b)  A further report about the LGA Code of Conduct be considered once a final version has been published.

The Committee noted the update report setting out details of complaints about member conduct.  The impact of Covid-19 on the timescales to review them was noted and the Committee was reassured that all members involved knew about the complaints made.

At this stage the Committee did not consider that any further action should be taken with regard to members being made aware of their obligations regarding the Code.

RESOLVED that the formal complaints made about the conduct of County Councillors and their outcome be noted.