Standards Committee

Agendas also include reports for the public part of meetings. 

Meeting Date
30 August 2012	Agenda (Word Doc 311kb)	Minutes (PDF 29kb)
1 March 2012	Agenda (Word Doc 738kb)	Minutes (PDF 33kb)
20 October 2011	Agenda (Word Doc 444kb)	Minutes (PDF 31kb)
14 October 2010	Agenda (Word Doc 580kb)	Minutes (PDF 30kb)
13 May 2010	Agenda (Word Doc 484kb)	Minutes (PDF 34kb)

Members of the Standards Committee for 2012/13 are:-

Richard Baldwin, Les Carter, Sarah Ferriby, Mohammed Iqbal, Sheila Saunders plus 5 External Members.

(a) Terms of Reference

1. Consider and determine for recommendation to the Authority, Codes of Conduct for Members and/or Officers of the Authority.

2. Monitor and keep under review such Codes of Conduct for recommendation to the Authority of any amendment which may be necessary.

3. Assist, and arrange for any necessary training for Members and Officers on matters relating to Codes of Conduct and to promote and maintain the highest standards of probity in the work of the Authority.

4. To arrange (where necessary through a Sub-Committee) for the initial assessment and review of Complaints made about Members under the Code of Conduct and also conduct any hearings required following investigation of complaints.

5. Be responsible in accordance with relevant Regulations for the arrangements for Members to receive dispensations to speak on, and participate in, matters in which they have an interest.

6. Consider and make recommendations to the Authority on any proposals in relation to the Authority’s Standing Orders and other internal rules and regulations in so far as they relate to the Terms of Reference of this Committee.

7. Make recommendations to the Authority on matters relating to the Authority’s powers and duties in connection with the Public Interest Disclosure Act 1998.

8. To consider and where appropriate approve applications for exemption from an Officer's post being regarded as a politically restricted post.

9. To monitor the Performance of the Force in relation to Compliance with the Human Rights Act.

b) Constitution

5 Members of the Authority plus 4 external Members

(c) Quorum (minimum number of members needed to make decisions)

For Committee and Sub-Committee 3 Members to include at least 1 external member.

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Initial Assessment Sub-committee Terms of Reference

(a) Terms of Reference

1. To receive allegations that a member of the Authority has failed, or may have failed, to comply with the Authority’s Code of Conduct.

2. On receipt of each allegation and any accompanying report by the Monitoring Officer, the Sub-Committee shall make an initial assessment of the allegation and shall then do one of the following:

i. refer the allegation to the Monitoring Officer, with an instruction that they arrange a formal investigation of the allegation, or directing that they arrange training, conciliation or such appropriate alternative steps as permitted by Regulations;
ii. refer the allegation to the Standards Board for England;
iii. decide that no action should be taken in respect of the allegation, or
iv. where the allegation is in respect of a person who is no longer a member of the Authority, but is a member of another relevant authority (as defined in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 2000), refer the allegation to the Monitoring Officer of that other relevant authority;

(b) Constitution

3 members of the Standards Committee of whom at least 1 shall be an external member who should Chair the Sub-Committee.

(The membership for any particular meeting shall be determined by the Chair of the Standards Committee in consultation with the Monitoring Officer).

(c) Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the Sub-Committee shall be 3 members including 1 external member.

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Review Sub-committee Terms of Reference

a) Terms of Reference

1. To review, (upon the request of a person who has made an allegation that a member of the Authority has failed, or may have failed, to comply with the Authority’s Code of Conduct) a decision of the Initial Assessment Sub-Committee that no action be taken in respect of that allegation.

2. On receipt of each such request and any accompanying report by the Monitoring Officer, the Sub-Committee shall review the decision of the Initial Assessment Sub-Committee and shall then do one of the following:

i. refer the allegation to the Monitoring Officer, with an instruction that they arrange a formal investigation of the allegation, or specifying that they take an alternative action as permitted by Regulations;
ii. refer the allegation to the Standards Board for England;
iii. decide that no action should be taken in respect of the allegation; or
iv. where the allegation is in respect of a person who is no longer a member of the Authority, but is a member of another relevant authority (as defined in Section 49 of the Local Government Act 2000), refer the allegation to the Monitoring Officer of that other relevant authority;

(b) Constitution

3 members of the Standards Committee whom at least 1 shall be an external member who shall Chair the Sub-Committee.

(The Membership for any particular meeting shall be determined by the Chair of the Standards Committee in consultation with the Monitoring Officer).

(c) Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the Sub-Committee shall be 3 members.

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Hearings Sub-committee Terms of Reference

(a) Terms of Reference

To conduct a hearing to consider the report of an investigating officer into an alleged breach of the Authority’s Code of Conduct, in accordance with the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008 (or any amendment or addition there to) and Guidance issued by the Standards Board for England.

(b) Constitution

3 members of the Standards Committee of whom at least 1 shall be an external member who shall Chair the Sub-Committee.

(The Membership for any particular meeting shall be determined by the Chair of the Standards Committee in consultation with the Monitoring Officer).

(c) Quorum

The quorum for a meeting of the Hearings Sub-Committee shall be 3 members.