Agenda and minutes

To agree the procedures for the operation of hybrid meetings.

RESOLVED –

THAT the hybrid meeting procedures set out in the agenda be agreed.

To elect a Vice-Chair for the municipal year 2022-23.

The Chair noted the non-partisan nature of the Committee and that previously the Vice-Chair had been a member of one of the opposition groups. It was proposed that election of Vice-Chair be deferred to the next meeting to enable further consideration.

RESOLVED –

THAT election of Vice-Chair for the municipal year 2022-23 be deferred.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Gio Spinella.

There were no declarations of interest.

Broadcast of the meeting

The Chair to announce the following: ‘In addition to the rights by law that the public and press have to record this meeting, I would like to remind everyone that this meeting is being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and can be viewed on our website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts are archived and can be made available upon request.

If you have asked to address the meeting, you are deemed to be consenting to having your contributions recorded and broadcast, including video when switched on, and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.’

Any other announcements

Broadcasting

The Chair announced that the meeting was being broadcast live by the Council to the Internet and could be viewed on the website for twelve months after the meeting. After that time, webcasts were archived and could be made available upon request.

Those who had asked to address the meeting were deemed to be consenting to having their contributions recorded and broadcast and to the use of those sound recordings and images for webcasting and/or training purposes.

There were no deputations.

There were no items of urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 31 January 2022.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 31^st January 2022 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Borough Solicitor.

This report provides an introduction to the Standards Committee, outlining its purpose, membership and how it operates in practice.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor.

The Chair reiterated that the Committee operated in a non-partisan way and commented that the standards regime at Camden Council was very good, noting that it went beyond recommended best practice. An example of the Council’s commitment was that it required that gifts and hospitality with an estimated value of £25 and above be registered, while the Local Government Association’s model Code recommended this be set at £50.

The Chair welcomed any suggestions for the forward work plan.

RESOLVED –

THAT Standards Committee:

(i)             Noted the Committee’s terms of reference;

(ii)            Noted the membership of the Committee; and

(iii)          Made suggestions for the Committee’s forward work plan as summarised above.

Report of the Borough Solicitor.

This report brings to Members’ attention recent standards news items for information and updates on actions from the previous Standards Committee meeting. 

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor.

In response to a question about the rate of appeals to the Local Government Ombudsman against the decision not to investigate complaints, the Borough Solicitor commented that two of the nine complaints had been appealed but were unsuccessful.

With regard to the Government’s response to the Committee on Standards in Public Life’s (CSPL) report on Local Government Ethical Standards, the Borough Solicitor suggested that the recommendations on sanctions were likely to be raised again through future reviews.

It was proposed and agreed that officers write to the CSPL to lobby for continued pressure on the Government to strengthen available sanctions for councillors who breached the Code of Conduct, and to query what the next steps would be.

ACTION: Borough Solicitor

RESOLVED –

THAT Standards Committee noted and commented on the contents of the report.

Report of the Borough Solicitor.

This report sets out the record of standards information and guidance issued to Members of the Council. 

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor.

The Chair highlighted that category 5 of the interests declared by Members and co-opted Members, (any licence (alone or jointly with others) to occupy land in the Borough of Camden for a month or longer), included residents’ parking permits. Other Members queried whether bicycle parking spaces and garages should also be declared under category 5. Officers were asked to review these examples and issue guidance to Members and co-opted Members.

ACTION: Borough Solicitor

RESOLVED –

That Standards Committee noted the record of standards guidance.

There was no urgent business.