Meeting Details

Members are reminded that they should declare any personal and/or prejudicial interests at this point and that they should leave the meeting before any item, in which they have a prejudicial interest, is discussed.

Members are asked to agree the minutes of the last meeting of the Standards Committee, held on 27 October 2008, and that they be signed as a correct record.

To receive any questions, statements or petitions, of which notice has been received, from members of the public.

This report seeks to establish a Work Plan for the Standards Committee for the year 1 April 2009 to 31 March 2010.

This report provides the Committee with an update on the possible format of future Code of Conduct training.

This report provides the Committee with details of the Code of Conduct complaints received by the Standards Committee from 1 October to 31 December 2008.

This report outlines the insurance arrangements, which are in place for all Members of the Fire Authority and the four Independent Members of its Standards Committee.

Attached, marked 9, is the latest Bulletin no. 41, issued by the Standards Board for England, copies of which have been emailed to all Members (including the four Independent Members of the Standards Committee). As previously agreed by the Committee, the Bulletin is now brought to Members for discussion.

Attached, marked 10 is the Winter 2008/09 edition of the Ethical Standards Bulletin, published by Telford & Wrekin Council. A copy has been emailed to all Members (including the four Independent Members of the Standards Committee). As previously agreed by the Committee, the Bulletin is brought to Members for discussion.

On 4 June elections for Shropshire Council take place and it will meet on 19 June to agree, inter alia, who should sit on the Fire Authority. A meeting of the Fire Authority will take place on 3 July, at which it will decide which Members will sit on its committees, including the Standards Committee. It will not be possible, therefore, to hold the meeting of the Committee, which was scheduled for Monday, 29 June. Officers will attempt to arrange an alternative date for a meeting to take place in mid to late July.

Having stood in the by-election for Much Wenlock Town Council, which took place on 19 February 2009, Independent Member, Mr David Turner, has been successful in obtaining a seat on the Council. He had previously notified the Chair of the Committee and officers that he intended to resign, if he were successful. His formal letter of resignation has not yet been received. For information.

Elaine Adams the Service’s Media Advisor will attend the meeting to discuss with the Committee how it might raise its profile through publicity.