Agenda and minutes

Members and Officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and officers were invited to declare any interests they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interests were declared:-

The Monitoring Officer advised that the Localism Act 2011 provided members with an exemption when considering applications for dispensations and therefore although the above members had declared a potential Personal and Prejudicial Interest they could remain in the meeting and take part in the item.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer

The Standards Committee is requested to consider an application for a dispensation for those Councillors who are members of a trade union, sponsored by a trade union or in a position of management or control of a trade union to remain in the room, speak and vote at the Council Meeting on 29 October 2015 on a Motion on the Trade Union Bill.

The Standards Committee is requested to consider the application and determine whether the application should be granted.

Officer Contact: Craig Ainsworth on 0161 474 3204 or email: craig.ainsworth@stockport.gov.uk

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Standards Committee i to consider an application for a dispensation for those Councillors who are members of a trade union, sponsored by a trade union or in a position of management or control of a trade union to remain in the room, speak and vote at the Council Meeting on 29 October 2015 on a Motion on the Trade Union Bill.

RESOLVED (Councillors three for, one against – unanimous support for the dispensation from the Independent Members of the Committee)

(1)   This Committee is satisfied that without the granting of a dispensation

(i)               the representation of different political groups on the body transacting the business would be so upset as to alter the outcome of any vote on the matter; or

(ii)             it would be in the interests of persons living in the authority's area; or

(iii)            it is otherwise appropriate to grant a dispensation

(2) (three for, one against) That a dispensation be granted to all members of the Council who would otherwise have either a:-

(a)        Disclosable Pecuniary Interest; or

(b)        Personal and Prejudicial Interest

in the motion relating to the Trade Union Bill that is due to be considered by the Council Meeting on 29 October 2015 by virtue of that member’s (or a ‘relevant’ person’s):-

(i)            membership of a trade union;

(ii)           sponsorship by a trade union;

(iii)         position of management or control of a trade union;

provided that the matter under discussion does not particularly relate to that members’ employment.

(3) This dispensation shall have effect until such a time that the consideration and determination of the motion in respect of the Trade Union Bill has been concluded provided that the duration of such a dispensation shall not be for a period exceeding one year.