Decision details

The Executive has considered a report detailing options for the future ethical framework in Stockport following the enactment of the Localism Act 2011 and has recommended that the Council Meeting approve the following proposals:-

(i) To retain a Standards Committee comprising of:

(a)       four councillors appointed on a politically proportionate basis as may be determined by the Annual Council Meeting;

(b)       such number of Independent members as may be sufficient to ensure a majority of Independent Members;

(c)       Substitutes should not be permitted.

(ii) The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Standards Committee should both be Independent Members.

(iii) The Standards Committee should be exempt from the proportionality calculation under the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

(iv) Appoint one Sub Committee to hold a hearing at which the member complained of may respond to the investigation report and the Sub Committee can determine whether the member did fail to comply with the Code and what action, if any is appropriate. The Sub Committee should comprise of five members of the Standards Committee.

(v) The quorum for meetings of the Standards Committee or Sub Committee shall be 3 members including a majority of independent members. 

(vi) Appoint two ‘Independent Persons’ and that an allowance should be paid (and although outside the Members Allowance Scheme, the Independent Remuneration Panel be requested to consider what an appropriate allowance might be).

(vii) Authorise the Monitoring Officer to commence the advertisement process as soon as possible to ensure that the role is filled when the new provisions come into force, with a Panel consisting of the Monitoring Officer, and two members of the Standards Committee to short-list and interview candidates and to make a recommendation to Council Meeting on appointment.

(viii) Those candidates should have a good understanding of the Standards Regime/ providing advice.

None.

None.