Committee details

The Localism Act 2011 made fundamental changes to the system of regulation of standards of conduct for elected and co-opted Councillors, including Parish Councils. Although there is no longer a statutory requirement for a Standards Committee, the Council requires an effective body to deal with standards issues. The Council at its meeting in June 2012 established a Standards Advisory Committee, which replaces the committee formally known as Standards Committee. Please click here to view agendas for Standards Committee.

The Standards Advisory Committee (SAC) 

The SAC has the following roles and functions:

·  Promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Members, (i.e. Elected and  Co-opted)

·  Assisting Members to observe the Council’s Ethical Framework including the Code of Conduct.

·  Advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Council’s Ethical Framework including the Code of Conduct.

·  Monitoring the operation of the Council’s Ethical Framework including the Code of Conduct.

·  Advising, training or arranging to train Members on matters relating to the Council’s Ethical Framework including the Code of Conduct.

·  The determination of written complaints made against a Member (including a Parish Council Member) alleging a breach of the Code of Conduct and taking any action that is deemed appropriate and permitted under the Localism Act 2011 and Regulations there under.

·  The exercise of (a) to (f) above in relation to the Parish Councils wholly or mainly in its area and the Members of those Parish Councils.

·  Keep under review and make recommendations to the Council on the Whistle-Blowing Policy and Procedure.

·  In conjunction with the Monitoring Officer to produce an Annual Review of work completed and proposed within the purview of the Committee and to submit it to Council for information purposes only.

·  To put in place and keep under review arrangements for monitoring Members’ performance.

·  To receive and consider reports on individual Members’ performance.

·  To decide any requests from a Member or Officer for indemnity as set out in the Council’s adopted Policy on Terms of Indemnity.

The Committee is made up of six elected Councillors, three independent people and a representative of each of the three local Parish Councils.