Standards Committee
The general functions of the Standards Committee are to promote and maintain high standards of conduct within the council and to assist elected members to observe the code of conduct and ensure their official business is open, fair and transparent.
ASHFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL & MANSFIELD DISTRICT COUNCIL
APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PERSONS
Both Ashfield and Mansfield District Council's are looking to share arrangements for two individuals to take on the new role of 'Independent Person' to assist each Council's Monitoring Officer in dealing with complaints received against Members of both the District Councils and Parish Councils within their area. Both Councils will appoint, on a shared basis one Independent Person together with a 'Reserve'.The Independent Person will be required to give an opinion on any complaint that is received and will also be consulted by the Monitoring Officer following investigations to decide what action to take. You may also be contacted by Councillors who are the subject of any complaint.
We are looking for someone with political awareness but without political affiliations, with a keen interest in local governance and a commitment to high standards and ethics in public life.A retainer of £1000 per annum will be paid to the Independent Person and reasonable expenses incurred in carrying out the role will also be reimbursed.A Recruitment Pack, including eligibility criteria and an application form, is available to download from the right or may be obtained from:
Simon Oldham, Democratic Services Manager at the address below or by email: s.oldham@ashfield-dc.gov.uk
Closing date for applications is 12.00 noon on Friday 24th August 2012 and interviews will take place in the week commencing 17th September 2012 at the Ashfield District Council Offices, Urban Road, Kirkby in Ashfield.
What is the Standards Committee?
The Members' Code of Conduct (inc Register of members' Interests)
The Council adopted a new Code of Conduct on 4 July, 2012, based on the seven Nolan Principles of selflessness; integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership but also included the principles of personal judgement, respect for others, duty to uphold the law and stewardship.
Under the Localism Act, 2011, Local Authorities remained under a statutory duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by their Members and co-opted Members. In discharging this obligation, Councils must adopt a Code of Conduct that is consistent with the seven 'Nolan' principles of Standards in Public Life, as well as making provision for the registration and disclosure of pecuniary and non-pecuniary interests.
The Act introduced a new criminal offence for failing to declare or register interests as well as making provision for new standards arrangements for investigating and taking decisions on complaints relating to the Elected Mayor, members and Parish Councillors in the District. Under the Act, there was no longer a statutory requirement to have a Standards Committee, but this Authority has chosen to do so.
The Act also withdrew the rights of independent non-elected members to be either elected as Chairman of the Committee or to vote on any issue.
Currently, the Standards Committee was comprised of 7 elected members and 3 independent non-elected members, who have yet to be appointed. The Executive Mayor and members of the Executive cannot serve on the Standards Committee, which is now chaired by an elected member.
The main functions of the Standards Committee are to:
1 To promote and maintain high standards of conduct for members
2 To recommend to the Council revisions of the Members' Code of Conduct.
3 Promotion of the Code (including ensuring that the public are aware of its contents).
4 Monitoring of compliance with the Code
5 Keep under review members functions and responsibilities.
6 Assessing members training needs.
7 Specifying training requirements including those which should be mandatory.
8 Co-ordinating all member training.
9 Hearing of local adjudications and applying appropriate sanctions.
10 Recommending to Executive or Council as appropriate.
11 Monitoring compliance with the Constitution.
12 Proposing amendments to the Constitution whilst acknowledging that the Head of Paid Service has overall responsibility for the Constitution.
13 Monitoring the declaration of members' interests.
14 Promoting similar standards of relationships with outside bodies.
If you think that the Executive Mayor or a councillor has broken the Code of Conduct, you can report them in writing to the, at the address below at the end of this section.
Any complaint in the first instance should be sent to the Chairman of the Standards Committee c/o The Monitoring Officer. The Assessment Sub-Committee of the Standards Committee will decide whether the matter should be determined locally. The Council has adopted a procedure for the local determination of allegations of misconduct by members. Further details about the Standards Board for England including up-to-date bulletins and guidance can be found on their website. A link to this website is listed on the right.
The Chairman of the Standards Committeec/o The Monitoring OfficerMansfield District CouncilCivic CentreChesterfield Road SouthMansfieldNottinghamshireNG19 7BHFor general enquiries:
Telephone: 01623 463302Fax: 01623 463900Email: democraticservices@mansfield.gov.ukFor complaints:
Monitoring OfficerTelephone: 01623 463051Email: abradley@mansfield.gov.uk