To consider the report setting out suggestions for work to be undertaken by the Committee in 2015/16. 

6.1             The report of the Democratic Services Group Manager, circulated at Pages No. 6-8, asked Members to adopt a Work Programme for 2015/16 and put into place a methodology and timetable to achieve the Work Programme as set out within the report.

6.2             The Monitoring Officer indicated that the Committee had already started a programme of reviewing the Codes and Protocols that were supplementary to the Code of Conduct; to date the Licensing System Protocol and Procedure and the Protocol for Councillors and Officers Involved in the Planning Process had been reviewed. The remaining two Protocols, Gifts and Hospitality for Councillors and Member/Officer Relations, had yet to be reviewed. Both Protocols had last been looked at in 2008 but the Gifts and Hospitality Protocol had been briefly addressed in 2012 to ensure compatibility with the new Code. It was therefore suggested that the Committee commence a review of the Protocol for Member/Officer Relations. Following completion of that it was suggested that the Committee consider a review of the Code of Conduct to ensure it was fit for purpose and met the duty under the Localism Act to promote and maintain high standards of Councillor Conduct. By then the new Code would have been in place in excess of three years and it would be useful to gain the views of both longstanding and recently elected Members on its effectiveness.

6.3             The suggested process for the review of the Protocol for Member/Officer Relations was that the Committee should meet as a Working Group and talk to Members and senior Officers to ascertain their views on the effectiveness of the Protocol and what, if any, changes would improve it. It was anticipated that the Working Group would need approximately two meetings to undertake its review and it would then consider the revised Protocol as a Committee at which time it would make a recommendation to Council. It was anticipated that the first meeting would be held mid/end November and would be quite a long meeting as Members and senior Officers would be invited to express their views within timeslots of approximately 10-15 minutes each. As a minimum it was suggested that the Chief Executive, Deputy Chief Executive and Leader and Deputy Leader of the Council be asked to attend along with some Group Leaders, Lead Members, Chair or Vice-Chair of the Planning and Licensing Committees, Group Managers and senior Officers. Suggestions as to those that would be appropriate to attend were invited from the Committee and, of course, the Committee would also provide its own views through the process. Those that were invited to make representations would be advised in advance that they would be asked for their thoughts on what was currently included within the Protocol as well as what worked and what did not work. Members would also be able to ask questions if they wished.

6.4             In terms of Members that were dual-hatted i.e. Borough and Parish/County Councillors, a Member felt that it was essential that other Members and Officers were aware of the limitations in respect of interests. In response, the Monitoring Officer concurred that there was a need to ensure everyone was able to distinguish between them.

6.5             The Monitoring Officer indicated that the first meeting of the Working Group would be arranged on a date convenient to Members and a number of Councillors and Officers would be invited to provide their views as discussed earlier in the meeting. Accordingly, it was

                  RESOLVED          1. That the Work Programme for 2015/16 be ADOPTED. 

                                                2. That the Standards Committee meet as a Working Group to                                    review the Protocol for Member/Officer Relations and that                                     the first meeting be used to speak to Councillors and Officers                                        to get their views on the Protocol and how it might be                                              improved.