Agenda and draft minutes

To confirm the minutes from the previous meeting (Part 2 Minutes circulated separately).

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th March 2016 were confirmed by the Members present and were then signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman reminded everyone that at the last meeting there was a long Part II section which Cllr. Matthews had to retire from.  The Chairman checked that everyone had seen the Part II Minutes and it was agreed that the Chairman could sign these off.

To receive any apologies for absence

Apologies received from Cllr. Anne Fisher and Cllr Wilkins (Tring Town Council Member)

The Chairman reported that this is something that he had mentioned at the previous meeting, in that he wanted Standards Committee Responsibilities to be made known to the Members.  It is crucial that all Members are aware of the Standards under which they work.  Mark Brookes would give a short presentation on this subject.

The Chairman said we will then look at having some of the key matters on our meetings that will be relevant to Member’s responsibilities.  This will then highlight at least this Committee knowing what we are going to be delivering in the Member Training Group.  The Chairman also said that Mark Brookes would give an update on the Berkhamsted issue.

Mark Brookes explained that the thoughts behind this are that we have certain codes and protocols in place to govern Member and Employee codes.  These codes have to be reviewed.

He said that you will see from the Work Plan, on the 15^th September, I recommend that we look at the protocol for Member/Officer relations.  We will explain everything in the codes and changes, and recommend that these codes will be formally approved

The Chairman said that we want to look at John and Brendan to bring their experience from outside to the Borough Council and Ron Tindall can assist as he is an expert on Employee Relations.  This expertise can then be fed to the Solicitor to the Council to be included in the Work Plan, the operation of the protocol and standards.

Mark Brookes 8^th December Plan, looking at the Planning Code Practice which can be controversial.  This has not been updated for some time. This will go on to Planning Committee for approval and then later Council for adoption.

Ron Tindall commented on his experience whilst sitting on Development Control.  He said this meeting is becoming more contentious, with more things being challenged.  So that there is no question of impropriety, councillors should identify before the meeting any interest they may have.  Jan Maddern agreed with these comments.  Jan Maddern said that she had recently removed herself from a committee when certain items were on the Agenda, where she declared an interest.

Mark Brookes made the point that you are allowed to take part even if you have a view, but you must not go to the committee with a “closed mind”.   Ron Tindall said again that councillors should step aside when they have a deeper interest in the Agenda item being discussed.

The Chairman reminded everyone that when attending a meeting, you must not go in with predetermined views but with a predisposition to listen.  At all times, you should behave professionally even if what has just been discussed you do not agree with.  No storming out of a meeting etc.

Mark Brookes said that at the final meeting, there will be some formal training around this committee procedure and pick up any points of interest.  He said we will role-play a few scenarios and we can amend as we  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15 September 2016.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 15^th September 2016

To consider passing a resolution in the following terms:

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the item in Part II of the Agenda for this meeting, because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to:

To consider passing a resolution in the following terms:

That, under s.100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972 Schedule 12A Part 1 as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006 the public be excluded during the item in Part II of the Agenda for this meeting, because it is likely, in view of the nature of the business to be transacted, that if members of the public were present during that item there would be disclosure to them of exempt information relating to: