To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th July 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th July, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Report of Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer.

Consideration was given to a report of the Solicitor to the Council regarding the above. (For copy see file of Minutes).

Specific reference was made to the national consensus that standards of conduct had improved since the Standards Board had been established.  Local Authorities, Chief Executives, Political Leaders, Standards Committees and Monitoring Officers had embraced their role as champions of high standards.

Members were informed that 3,549 allegations of misconduct had been received by the Standards Board in 2006-07, 62% of which were from members of the public.  19% of the complaints had been referred for investigation.

It was reported that the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, expected to receive Royal Assent in the next few weeks, and would make standards a ‘’truly local’’ issue.  Standards Committees would be given responsibility for receiving complaints and deciding on which were to be investigated.

Members were informed of the ‘’positive picture’’ that had emerged from research studies into attitudes towards Standards.

Reference was made to the importance of good governance at all levels if the devolution of the system for upholding standards was to be completely successful. More work would be done on the system in the new year.

AGREED :            That the report be noted.

Report to Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer.

Consideration was given to a report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer concerning the questionnaire responses from the training event on standards issues.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that out of the 60 delegates who took part in the training event, 42 had completed the evaluation questionnaire.  The event had been described as ‘’very interesting and informative’’ and had been well received by all of the authorities involved.  However, Members were informed that as a result of Local Government Re-organisation the event on 27^th June 2007 would probably be the last involving other authorities to be organised by Sedgefield Borough Council.

AGREED :   That the report be noted.

Report of Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer.

Consideration was given to a report of the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer regarding evaluation of questionnaire responses.  (For copy see file of Minutes). 

Specific reference was made to the extremely positive response to the question of how satisfied delegates were that the objectives identified for the course had been met.  89% of the delegates thought that the objectives had been met to a ‘’good’’, ‘’very good’’ or ‘’excellent’’ level.

Members were informed that attendance at the events was reasonable and that in-house Member training events would continue through Local Government Re-organisation.  Revised Code of Conduct training would be held on 28^th November between 10.00 a.m. and 12.p.m.  Regulatory Committees and decision processes on 20^th November between 2.00 p.m. and 4.00 p.m. and 29^th November between 10.00 a.m. and 12.00 p.m.

AGREED :            That the report be noted.

Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer to report at the meeting.

It was reported that the above event had been attended by two members and by both the Monitoring Officer and Deputy. The conference had focused on the evolving role of the Standards Board as a result of changes in roles. In view of the transfer of responsibility for complaints to the Local Authority, the Board’s role would be increasingly strategic. It would define the standards framework, monitor effectiveness, issue guidance and provide support.  It would only deal with the most serious investigations.

Also, in view of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Bill, the Standards Board would have the responsibility for the monitoring and auditing of Standards Committees.

Further reports would be delivered in the new year when the Bill is approved and ready for implementation.

A question was raised regarding the funding arrangements for Standards Committees in view of the new responsibilities.  It was explained that no extra funding would be made available.

DVD Presentation.

A 30-minute DVD presentation was given concerning the Revised Code of Conduct, in which the new requirements were explained.

Next meeting to be held on 7^th February 2008

Thursday 7^th February 2008 at 1.00 p.m.