Agenda item

The Committee considered a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer which informed Members of the national picture on standards issues affecting Local Government (for copy see file of minutes).

The Legal Officer (Governance), Lauren Smith advised Members of the main matters of interest since the last meeting of the Committee, including that Lord Evans had ended his term as Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, with his final speech appended to the report.  The Committee noted as regards Bristol City Council reviewing their complaints procedure following a lack of upheld complaints and noted that two s.114 Notices had been issued at Birmingham City Council, with External Auditors carrying out an independent review of how legal advice provided by Birmingham City Council’s Monitoring Officer was considered by the Council.  It was added the External Auditors had noted the relationships between Senior Officers and key Members was becoming ‘strained’. 

Councillor G Smith entered the meeting at 9.36am

The Legal Officer (Governance) added that a second Commissioners’ report on issues at Thurrock Council had been published, a s.114 Notice having been previously issued.  She added that the Local Government Research Unit had published a report on the role of the Monitoring Officer, with issues highlighted including the risk of unsupported Monitoring Officers leaving the profession, and a feeling that there was a ‘lack of clout’ in terms of sanctions available to Monitoring Officers.  It was noted that the Committee would be updated on relevant issues and s.114 Notices at future meetings.

Resolved:

That the report be noted, and Officers monitor the progress of the matters referred to and keep the Committee updated.