Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED – That Mr Stephen Clarke be elected Chair of the Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

RESOLVED – That Mr Andrew Stewart be elected Vice Chair of the Committee for the period until the next Annual Council Meeting.

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 March 2022.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 3 March 2022 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

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

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interests which they may have had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

The following interest was declared:-

Personal & Prejudicial Interest

To note that, in consultation with the Chair, the Deputy Chief Executive took urgent action under the constitution on 25 November 2022 to a grant a dispensation to Councillors Meller and Morrison in relation to matters that involve the Cheadle Towns Fund Board. 

The scope of the proposed dispensation would be to permit the two councillors to remain in the room, be able to speak at any meeting they are attending as a member (or as a substitute) and be able to vote on any matters that they would otherwise be precluded from doing so by virtue of having a personal and prejudicial interest in the matter.

The decision was taken as urgent action as a matter relating to the Cheadle Towns Fund Board was due to be considered at a committee of the Council in advance of this meeting of the Committee.

The Monitoring Officer reported that a dispensation had been granted for Councillors Meller & Morrison in relation to their area committee and Cheadle Towns Fund.  The report had been due to come before the Standards Committee on 19 September 2022 but the meeting had to be cancelled.  In order that Councillors Meller and Morrison could take part in the Area Committee that had taken place on 29 November 2022, the urgent decision to grant the dispensation was taken.  Both councillors will continue to declare their interest in the Cheadle Towns Fund.

RESOLVED – That the urgent decision be noted.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair on any matters within the powers and duties of the Committee, subject to the exclusions set out in the Code of Practice. (Questions must be submitted no later than prior to the commencement of the meeting) You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The report updates the Committee on complaints received about the conduct of members during the 2021/22 municipal year.

The Committee is requested to note the report.

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

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) which updated the Committee on complaints received about the conduct of members during the 2021/22 municipal year.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members of the Standards Committee commented that they were pleased to see a reduction in the number of complaints relating to councillor’s use of social media.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.