Agenda item

(1)    Under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011 the existing Standards regime ceases to operate on 30 June 2012. The transitional arrangements are very limited and do not allow for the old arrangements to continue. The Act puts in place a system of requiring Members to notify the Monitoring Officer of a new category of interests (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests “DPI”) and requires him to maintain a public register of those interests. Additionally, the council must, with effect from 1 July 2012 adopt a new code of conduct and put in place arrangements for investigating allegations of failure to comply with the code and for making decisions in respect  of those allegations.

(2)    The Committee had before them a detailed and complex report on which their views and recommendations were sought for the County Council on 19 July 2012 who would be asked to adopt a new Standards regime.

(3)    The report had been prepared by the Monitoring Officers and Chief Legal Officers across the County including the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority but excluding Medway Council.

(4)    After a comprehensive and detailed debate of all the issues the  Standards Committee RESOLVED to recommend to the County Council on 19 July 2012 the following:

(a)       That the Council adopts the Kent Model Code of Conduct which deals with the conduct expected of members and co-opted members of this authority when they are acting in that capacity. The Code to be retrospectively  effective from 1 July 2012.

(b)       That the Council notes the requirements of the Localism Act for members to notify the Monitoring Officer of any Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (“DPIs”)  by 28 July 2012 and the duty of the Monitoring Officer to establish and maintain a register of member’s interests.The Committee  endorsed the letter and  declaration form to be sent immediately to all Members.

(c)        That the Council adopts the arrangements under which allegations of non-compliance with the Code can be investigated and under which decision can be made. The arrangements shall be retrospectively effective from 1 July 2012. The County Council delegates to the Monitoring Officer and the Hearing Panel the right to depart from these arrangements where considered expedient to do so in order to secure the effective and fair consideration of any matter.

(d)       That the existing Standards Committee be dissolved with effect from midnight on 30 June 2012.

(e)       That as from 1 July 2012 a new Standards Committee be established with the Terms of Reference and Delegations set out in the appendix to the report.

(f)          That the County Council dis-applies the proportionality arrangements and appoints 3 members one from each political group to serve on the new Standards Committee

(g)       That the Director of Governance and Law in consultation with the three Group Leaders and the Chairman of the Selection and Members Services Committee be authorised to undertake the recruitment of an Independent Person and a substitute to discharge the functions ascribed by section 28 of the Localism Act 2011. This recruitment process and the interchangeability of the independent Person to substitutes for the Kent and Medway Fire and Rescue Authority was welcomed The appointments to be retrospectively effective from1 July 2012 and to be for a term of 5 years and 1 day.

(h)        That the remuneration package for the independent person be as follows

(i) a retainer fee of £500 per annum;

(ii) £100 per day (pro rata for a part day)

(iii) standard mileage allowance; and

(iv) full indemnity insurance

(i)          That the scheme of officer delegations with regard to Council functions be amended as from 1 July 2012, so as to confer on the Monitoring Officer  the delegations for discharging section 33 (1) and (2) of the Localism Act 2011

(j)          Adopt the Procedure Rules with effect from 1 July2012

(k)        That the  Monitoring Officer be requested to keep the Code and arrangements under review and to report to the Council or Standards  Committee as necessary

(Note as a potential applicant for the post of independent person Mrs N Ahmed withdrew from the meeting for consideration of the Independent Person’s remuneration package)