Agenda for Standards and Conduct Committee on Wednesday, 19th June, 2013, 1.30 pm

Standards and Conduct Committee - Wednesday, 19th June, 2013 1.30 pm

Contact: Amy Kelly Senior Corporate Governance Officer

Items
No.	Item
1.	Appeals against refusal of inspection of documents To consider any appeals in accordance with Procedure Rule 15 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules (in the event of an appeal the press and public will be excluded). (*In accordance with Procedure Rule 15, written notice of an appeal must be received by the Head of Governance Services at least 24 hours before the meeting) Minutes: There were no appeals against refusal of inspection of documents in accordance with Procedure Rule 25 of the Access to Information Procedure Rules.
2.	Exempt Information - Possible exclusion of the press and public 1. To highlight reports or appendices which officers have identified as containing exempt information, and where officers consider that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information, for the reasons outlined in the report. 2. To consider whether or not to accept the officers recommendation in respect of the above information. 3. If so, to formally pass the following resolution:- RESOLVED – That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following parts of the agenda designated as containing exempt information on the grounds that it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted or the nature of the proceedings, that if members of the press and public were present there would be disclosure to them of exempt information, as follows:- Minutes: There were no resolutions to exclude the press and public.
3.	Late items To identify items which have been admitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration. (The special circumstances shall be specified in the minutes.) Minutes: There were no late items submitted to the agenda by the Chair for consideration.
4.	Declaration of Disclosable Pecuniary Interests To disclose or draw attention to any disclosable pecuniary interests for the purposes of Section 31 of the Localism Act 2011 and paragraphs 13-16 of the Members’ Code of Conduct. Minutes: There were no declarations of disclosable pecuniary or other significant interests.
5.	Apologies for absence To receive any apologies for absence from the meeting. Minutes: Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Councillor Brian Selby.
6.	Minutes of the previous meeting PDF 51 KB To approve the minutes of the Standards and Conduct Committee meeting held on 5^th April 2013. Minutes: The minutes of the meeting held on Friday 5th April 2013 were approved as a correct record.
7.	Standards and Conduct Committee arrangements for 2013/14 PDF 65 KB To receive a report of the City Solicitor outlining the Committees’ terms of reference, proposing terms of reference for the Consideration Sub-Committee, and a work programme for the remainder of the municipal year. Additional documents: Appendix 1 - Standards and Conduct Committee Terms of Reference , item 7. PDF 44 KB Appendix 2 - Proposed Consideration Sub-Committee Terms of Reference , item 7. PDF 43 KB Appendix 3 - Draft work programme for 2013/14 , item 7. PDF 38 KB Minutes: The City Solicitor submitted a report setting out the standards and conduct arrangements adopted by full Council and proposing terms of reference for the new sub-committee of the Standards and Conduct Committee. RESOLVED – Members of the Standards and Conduct Committee resolved to: (a) Note the standards and conduct arrangements adopted by full Council set out at Appendix 1 of the report; (b) Approve the terms of reference for the Consideration Sub-Committee Appendix 2 of the report; and (c) Agree the future meeting dates and work programme for the 2013/14 year set out at Appendix 3 of the report.
8.	Update on recent standards issues PDF 68 KB To receive a report of the City Solicitor outlining recent standards issues that have arisen since the previous meeting, including any complaints received and dispensations granted. Minutes: The City Solicitor submitted a report outlining standards related matters that have arisen since the last meeting of the committee in April 2013. Members discussed the content of the report and considered whether it may be appropriate to provide information, to both Leeds City Council Members and Members of Town and Parish Councils, to clarify the role of the Independent Person. Members concluded that a letter from the Chair setting out the Independent Person’s role would be beneficial. RESOLVED – Members of the Standards and Conduct Committee resolved to: (a) Note the information provided in respect of recent complaints received; (b) Note the actions taken following the revised interpretation of the disclosable pecuniary interest regulations by Brandon Lewis, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for the Department of Communities and Local Government; and (c) Agree that the Chair circulate a letter to all councillors setting out the Independent Person’s role and contact details.