Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record and sign the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 December 2014.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 17 December 2014 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chair subject to the following amendments to Minute 6 ‘Process to deal with complaints received in relation to the councillors Code of Conduct’:-

·         in relation to paragraph 2.2 (second bullet point) – the deletion of “and” to be replaced with “or”

·         in relation to paragraph 2.7, alteration of the second sentence after the word ‘identity’ to read “if there are reasonable grounds for believing that the complainant or any witness relevant to the complaint may be at risk of harm, or his or her employment may be jeopardised if their identity is disclosed, or where there are medical risks (supported by medical evidence) associated with the complainant’s identity being disclosed.”

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

No declarations of interest were made.

Members of the public are invited to put questions to the Chair of the Committee 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 prior to the commencement of the meeting on the cards provided. You can also submit via the Council’s website at www.stockport.gov.uk/publicquestions.

No public questions were submitted.

To report any urgent action taken under the Constitution since the last meeting of the Committee.

No urgent decisions were reported.

To consider a report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Standards Committee are requested to an application for a dispensation from Councillor John Taylor to remain in the room, be able to speak at any meeting he is attending as a member (or as a substitute), and be able to vote on any matters relating to Stockport Council other than those relating to Adult Social Care or employment issues relating to his partner as his partner is an employee of Stockport Council.

The Standards Committee is requested to consider the application and determine whether the dispensation 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 Committee to consider a request for dispensation received from Councillor John Taylor in relation to Adult Social Care where his partner was employed.

The Monitoring Officer answered questions from the Committee.

RESOLVED – That a dispensation be granted to Councillor John Taylor until May 2018 to enable him to stay, speak and vote at any Committee of the Council on matters which he would not otherwise be able to do by virtue of his partner’s employment by the Council, with the exception of issues relating to the business of Adult Social Care and any matters that could have an impact on the employment of his partner.

(2) That the dispensation requires that Councillor Taylor should consult and seek advice from the Monitoring Officer where in doubt as to the application of this dispensation.