Agenda and minutes

Members are requested at the start of the meeting to declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and are reminded that any such interest should also be declared at the start of an item or during any discussion of the matter concerned.

The Vice-Chair reminded members of the Committee of the need to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

To receive the minutes of the meeting held on 26^th April 2004.

Resolved – That the minutes of the meeting held on 20^th July 2004, be confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Matters Arising – In respect of Minute 30, on the publication of the Register of Interests to the Website, the Director of Law and Corporate Governance confirmed that all Members had now completed their register of interests and the Member Services Officer would be writing to each Councillor to ask permission to publish their interests on the Council’s Internet site.  Only those giving written permission would have their register of interests published.

See explanatory note below.  Please phone the Committee Officer whose name and number appears at the top of this agenda if you need further guidance.

No public questions were received during the meeting.

The Director of Law and Corporate Governance will give an induction presentation for Members of the Standards Committee on the Members Code of Conduct and the work of the Standards Committee.

            The Director of Law and Corporate Governance gave a presentation on the Members’ Code of Conduct, the role of the Standards Committee, and the work of the Standards Board for England and Wales.  The Committee also viewed a video produced by the Standards Board in respect of the application of the Members Code and Conduct in example situations.  The Director of Law and Corporate Governance confirmed that should a matter be referred by the Standards Board for local determination in respect of a breach in the Code of Conduct, further specialist training would be provided to Members of the Committee.

            Resolved – That the report be noted.

The Draft Annual Report of the Standards Committee, March 2003 to June 2004 is attached.  The Committee is asked consider the report, and subject to any comments it may wish to make, commend to report to the Council.

            The Committee considered the Draft Annual Report of the Standards Committee, March 2003 to June 2004.

            Resolved – That subject to some minor amendments (including a correction to the spelling of ‘Devises’ and consistency in the naming of the Standards Board for England and Wales), the Annual Report of the Standards Committee, March 2003 to June 2004, be commended to the Council.

The proposed Standards Committee Work Programme 2004/05 is attached.  It is asked that the Committee consider and approve its work programme for the next year.

            The Committee considered the draft Work Programme for 2004/05.

            Resolved – That the Work Programme for 2004/05 be approved, subject to the amendment to the Agenda item for November 2004, to state “To consider whether or not it is appropriate to carry out an Ethical Audit of a) Swindon Borough Council and b) local Parish and Town Councils, and if appropriate, agree a methodology and programme”.

A copy of the advance programme for the Third Annual Assembly of Standards Committees to be held on 13^th-14^th September at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham is attached.  Standards Committee Members are invited to indicate if they wish to attend.

            The Committee considered the advance programme for the Third Annual Assembly of Standards Committees to be held on 13^th-14^th September at the International Conference Centre in Birmingham.

            Resolved – Members of the Standards Committee be requested to confirm to the Director of Law and Corporate Governance within two weeks if they wished to attend the event, so that appropriate arrangements can be made.