Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Richard Cotton, Maria Higson, Angela Mason, Roger Robinson and Tom Simon.  Apologies for absence were also received from the Independent Person Sue Terry.

Councillor Oliver Cooper substituted for Councillor Higson.

The Vice-Chair, Councillor Henry Newman was in the Chair.

There were no declarations of interest.

There were no deputations.

There were no announcements.

There was no urgent business.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd July 2019.

RESOLVED –

THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd July 2019 be approved and signed as a correct record.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

This report provides an overview on the effects of political restriction for local authority employees, and updates on politically restricted posts in Camden and the process for considering requests for review.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor.

In response to questions, it was clarified that while teachers were exempt from political restriction under Section 2(10) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989, they were still unable to be elected as local councillors if they were employed by a maintained school within the boundaries of a local education authority. 

Members suggested that planning and licensing officers who regularly advised committees should be included on the list of politically restricted posts.  The Borough Solicitor agreed to feedback the comments to the Chief Executive and the Director of People and Inclusion.

ACTION BY:             Borough Solicitor

The Committee commented that those officers who were not politically restricted should still show discretion with regard their political affiliations.  The Borough Solicitor noted that this was addressed in the Member Officer Protocol and the Officer Code of Conduct but that he could review to ensure that the Guidance was explicit. 

ACTION BY:             Borough Solicitor

In response to a query about officers giving advice at political group meetings, the Borough Solicitor noted that junior officers who were not politically restricted were unlikely to be attending political group meetings.

It was confirmed that reference to MEPs was historical. 

RESOLVED –

THAT the Committee noted the contents of the report and noted that it would also be reported for information to the Audit and Corporate Governance Committee.

Report of the Borough Solicitor

This report proposes mid-term refresher training on standards issues for councillors and seeks further input from Standards Committee.

Consideration was given to the report of the Borough Solicitor.

Members made the following comments:

·         People resented training being labelled as “compulsory” and were therefore deterred from completing it.  Members suggested that training be labelled as “valuable” instead.

·         Including a test would encourage Members to read the guidance and would appeal to their competitive nature.

·         It was noted that Members could complete training and still not comply with the Code of Conduct.  It was not considered that attending training was a complete defence in a Tribunal or Court proceedings.

·         There were good standards documents in existence and Members should be reminded to read them.

·         If there were problems with Members’ conduct at Camden Council then mandatory training would be supported.  However, it was noted that the Update on Standards Matters at Item 9 reported on the good levels of compliance by Members. 

·         It was noted that Members received extensive training following Council elections and further mandatory was unnecessary unless something fundamental had changed.

The Borough Solicitor noted that the Committee was supportive of the availability of online refresher training but preferred that this be discretionary. 

ACTION BY:             Borough Solicitor

RESOLVED –

THAT the Committee considered the proposal to provide refresher training on standards issues for councillors and made comments 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.

RESOLVED –

THAT the Committee noted 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 Borough Solicitor suggested and it was agreed that a reminder to Members about data protection would timely.

ACTION BY:             Borough Solicitor

The Borough Solicitor confirmed that he would be circulating general advice on the pre-election period for the Greater London Assembly elections and would provide any specific advice to Members standing for election. 

RESOLVED –

THAT the Committee noted the record of standards guidance.

There was no urgent business.