27th July 2007 - 9.30 a.m. - Agenda

To all Members of the Standards Committee

Members Co-opted Members

Mrs S P Clarke
Mr P Jones
Mr R E Kemp
Mr B Riley

Mr J B Newton
Mrs J M Cole
Miss P F Cook

ITEM

BUSINESS

1

ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

2

ELECTION OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

3

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

To receive apologies for absence.

4

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members to declare any interests as appropriate in respect of items to be considered at this meeting.

5

MINUTES

To confirm and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 20 April 2007 as a correct record.

6

PETITIONS

The Head of Corporate Services to report, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 13, the receipt of any petition submitted to the Chief Executive.

7

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS

The Chairman to answer any questions on matters in relation to which the Council has powers or duties or which affect the District and fall within the terms of reference of the Committee of which due notice has been given in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No. 15.4 – (a) and (b).

8

STANDARDS BOARD ROADSHOWS

Members to report verbally on Standards Board Roadshows attended in Norwich. Penny Clarke and Penny Cooke attended.

Paper G60

7

ADOPTION OF REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

Paper G61

8

TRAINING FOR COUNCILLORS ON THE REVISED CODE OF CONDUCT

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

9

VACANCY FOR INDEPENDENT MEMBER OF THE STANDARDS COMMITTEE

The Monitoring Officer to report that following election to the Council of Mr B Riley on 3 May 2007 in the local elections, a vacancy for an Independent Member has automatically arisen on the Committee. In the interests of pursuing opportunities for joint working, the Monitoring Officer has sought to determine whether any Independent Member from another Suffolk Standards Committee would be interested in also serving on Babergh’s Committee. Unfortunately, no expressions of interests have been received. The Monitoring Officer has therefore arranged for the vacancy to be advertised and a press release issued to generate interest in the role.

The new Member will be appointed by full Council as required by The Relevant Authorities (Standards Committee) Regulations 2001.

Paper G62

10

JOINT WORKING ARRANGEMENTS FOR STANDARDS COMMITTEES

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

Paper G63

11

STATISTICAL DIGEST OF COMPLAINTS TO THE STANDARDS BOARD FOR ENGLAND

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.

12

SIXTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF STANDARDS COMMITTEES

The Monitoring Officer to report that the Council has reserved 2 places at the Annual Assembly which is to be held at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham on 15 and 16 October 2007. At its last meeting, the Committee agreed that Mrs J M Cole take one of those places. Consideration is now required as to whether a second representative of the Committee should attend.

Paper G64

13

QUARTERLY MONITORING REPORT

Report by the Monitoring Officer attached.