NOTICE OF MEETING

COMMITTEE:        STANDARDS      

DAY/DATE:            TUESDAY, 14^TH NOVEMBER 2006  

TIME:                    2.30PM

VENUE:                 EAST COMMITTEE ROOM    

                             MUNICIPAL BUILDINGS

                             EARLE STREET

                             CREWE

Despatch date:       6^th November 2006

Enquiries to:  Diane Moulson

Tel: 01270 537026

Fax: 01270 537605

Email: agendas@crewe-nantwich.gov.uk

Chair:   Mr N Briers

           2 Yew Tree Close

           Bulkeley

           Nr Malpas   

To:  Members of the Standards Committee

       Chief Executive, Executive Directors

       Assistant Chief Executives

       Other Members of the Borough Council (front sheets only) 

       Local Press and Radio

Notes for Members of the Public

The Standards Committee consists of 5 elected Members, 2 Independent Members and 1 Parish Council Representative.  Mr Nigel Briers is the Chair.  Of the elected Members there are 2 Labour, 2 Conservative and 1 Liberal Democrat Members.

The Borough Council welcomes and encourages members of the public to attend its Committee, Board and Council meetings.

If you plan to attend, please report to the Reception Desk in the Municipal Buildings, where you will be provided with a Visitor’s Pass.

Car parking is not available at the Municipal Buildings, but there are several town centre car parks.  There is a disabled access to the rear of the Municipal Buildings, and this can be accessed through the side door on Vernon Way.  Please press the button for attention, and someone will meet you and escort you through to the main reception area.

You are asked to remain quiet whilst the meeting is taking place, and to enter and leave the meeting room, or public gallery of the Council Chamber, as quietly as possible.  Please ensure that if you have a mobile phone or pager, it is switched off for the duration of the meeting.

You are not allowed to have drinks or food in the meeting rooms, nor in the Public Gallery.  A “No Smoking” policy operates in the Municipal Buildings.

Fire Evacuation

If the fire alarm rings, you should make your way to the nearest exit with your belongings, as quickly as possible, and leave the building.  Please follow any instructions from staff about evacuation routes.

Copies of the agenda will be available if you attend. Agendas are also made available on the Internet and can be accessed via the Council’s website – see front page for details.

On occasions, members of the press and public will be excluded from the meetings when the business to be transacted is of a confidential nature, for example, dealing with individual people, contracts and financial affairs of other parties.

If you require any further information, please contact Diane Moulson the Committee Officer (details on front page).

AGENDA

1.                   Apologies

2.                   Declarations of Interest

Any Member present (including non-Committee Members) to declare any personal or prejudicial interests and the nature of that interest, in any item of business on the agenda and, if necessary, to leave the meeting prior to discussion of that item.

Members who also serve as County, Town or Parish Councillors are reminded of the need to make declarations in respect of any item which directly concerns the business of the appropriate authority. 

Declarations are a personal mater for each Member to decide.  Whilst officers will advise on the Code of Conduct and its interpretation, the decision to declare, or not, is the responsibility of the Member, based on the particular circumstances.

3.                   Records of Meetings

To approve as correct the records of the meetings held on 3^rd October 2006 and 23^rd October 2006 respectively (3a and 3b).   

 4.                   Revised Code of Conduct

A consultation paper on the proposed revisions to the Members’ Code of Conduct is due to be published by the Department for Communities and Local Government in the next few weeks.  A summary of the changes proposed is attached (4) for Members’ information.    

5.                   Ethics and Standards – Presentations

Further to discussions held at the last meeting, to discuss options for the promotion of ethics and standards with regard to Borough and Parish Council Members. 

6.                   Compliments, Comments and Complaints Scheme

6.1        To consider communications received by the Council since the last meeting of the Committee relating to the Compliments, Comments and Complaints Scheme (to follow).  A short presentation will be made to Members. 

6.2         To consider the operation of the scheme and suggest issues for review. 

7.                   Hearing Procedures – Review

To remind Members of and confirm arrangements for the hearing of allegations of misconduct by the Standards Committee.  A copy of the adopted procedure is attached for information (7).         

8.                   Date of Next Meeting

30^th January 2007 

NOTE:

In accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act the Council is required to notify those attending meetings of the fire evacuation procedures.  A copy has previously been circulated to Members and instructions are located in all rooms within the Civic Suite.         

This agenda can be made available in larger text on request.