The Executive Meeting considered the arrangements that would replace the existing system of regulation of standards of conduct for elected and co-opted members of the Council with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 and the relevant Statutory Instruments and has recommended that the Council Meeting:-
· Adopt the recommended Code of Conduct for Members as set out in Appendix 1 of the report, subject to the replacement of ‘must’ with ‘should’ under paragraph 3.1 ‘Training’ and the redrafting of paragraph 2.7 ‘Personal Judgements’ to provide greater clarity on when it was appropriate of whipping for councillors.
· Adopt the recommended local arrangements to handle complains about breaches of the Code of Conduct for Members of Stockport Council as set out in Appendix 2 of the report.
· Note the additional information submitted in relation to Parts 2 and 3 of the Code of Conduct following the recent publication of Statutory Instruments.