Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

To consider a report of the Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources.

The purpose of the report is update the Council on the number of complaints made against councillors during the 2023/24 Municipal Year and whether they were upheld, partially upheld or not upheld.

The Cabinet is recommended to comment on and endorse the report and request that the Council Meeting formally receive the report at its forthcoming meeting.

Office Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) detailing the 2023/24 Annual Report regarding Councillor Conduct.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·       Members expressed their thanks and gratitude to the Monitoring Officer for her work in this area over the past year.

·       Concern was expressed that a member had failed to comply with the recommendation of the Monitoring Officer following the outcome of an investigation, and that the regulatory regime in relation to standards was insufficient to deal with circumstances such as this.

·       It was encouraging that the Council continued to receive relatively few complaints in relation to member conduct.

RESOLVED – That the Council Meeting be recommended to note and formally receive the report.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance.

The report updates the Scrutiny Committee on complaints received about the conduct of members during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to note the report.

Officer contact: Vicki Bates on 10161 474 3219 or email vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director for Legal & Democratic Governance submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) updating the Scrutiny Committee on complaints received about the conduct of members during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Cabinet Member for Finance & Resources (Councillor Jilly Julian) attended the meeting to respond to councillor’s questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised: -

·         It was reported that members were encouraged to take the recommendations of the Monitoring Officer on board but as a matter of law they were not obliged so to do.

·         The reduction in numbers of complaints about councillor conduct was a tribute to good working relationships and the dedication of officers in supporting members.

·         Members acknowledged that officers always acted fairly in dealing with councillors’ conduct.

·         Members noted that there had been no complaints escalated to the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.

To consider a report of the Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer).

The report updates the Standards Committee on complaints received by the Monitoring Officer about the conduct of members during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The Committee is requested to note the report and agree for it to proceed to the CRMG Scrutiny and Cabinet Meeting, followed by the Council Meeting.

Officer Contact: Vicki Bates on 0161 474 3219 or email: vicki.bates@stockport.gov.uk

The Assistant Director – Legal and Democratic Governance (Monitoring Officer) submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated the Standards Committee on complaints received by the Monitoring Officer about the conduct of members during the 2023/24 municipal year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked whether the training offered in complaint number 3 had been taken up?  In response, the Committee was advised that the training had not been arranged yet but the Member had confirmed that they will attend.  Training will also be offered to other members and/or group whips.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that it proceeds to the CRMG Scrutiny and Cabinet Meeting, followed by the Council Meeting.