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 29 October 2007, 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 updates the Committee with regard to the latest developments in ethical standards matters, which will be brought about by the implementation of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007.

The Department for Communities and Local Government is currently consulting in respect of the new regulations and orders, which will flow from the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007. Many of the regulations and orders relate to new provisions, which will be dealt with by Standards Committee. This report sets out the proposed consultation response, the deadline for which is 15 February, i.e. prior to the meeting of the Standards Committee. It has, therefore, been necessary to request that the Fire Authority agree the response at its meeting on 13 February.

This report gives an update on the progress on increasing the number of non-elected, Independent Members of the Standards Committee from two to four. It also seeks agreement to the proposed recruitment process and asks the Committee to nominate which Members should sit on the recruitment panel.

This report provides an update to the Standards Committee on further developments regarding Member Code of Conduct training.

Attached, marked 9, is the latest Bulletin (no. 35 – September 2007) issued by the Standards Board for England, copies of which have been emailed to all Members (including the two Independent Members of the Standards Committee). As previously agreed by the Committee, the Bulletins are now brought to Members for discussion.

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