Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair put on record his, and the committee’s, thanks to former Parish Councillor Rawlings for his long service to the committee and the sub-committees.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see the attached sheet for further guidance for Members.]

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, or any prejudicial interests or disclosable pecuniary interests which they might have in respect of business on the agenda. 

Cllr Fisher noted that he was a named party in the complaints received log.  He left the meeting when the cases were discussed.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public from the meeting during consideration of exempt Annexes A(ii) and B (ii) to Agenda Item 8 (Monitoring report in Respect of Complaints Received) on the grounds that it contains information which is likely to reveal the identity of individuals. 

This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as revised by The Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:   That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the exempt versions of Annexes A(ii) and B(ii) to Agenda Item 8 (Monitoring Report in Respect of Complaints Received), on the grounds that they contain information likely to reveal the identity of individuals, which is classed as exempt under Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 14 May 2024.

Resolved:   That the minutes of the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 14 May 2024 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines are set as 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at our meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Friday 19 July 2024.   

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

During coronavirus, we made some changes to how we ran council meetings, including facilitating remote participation by public speakers. See our updates (www.york.gov.uk/COVIDDemocracy) for more information on meetings and decisions.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Diane Breen, spoke as a private individual, she raised concerns regarding how difficult it was for Parish Councils (PCs) to fill vacancies.  She noted that some Parish Councils had made the financial decision to leave the Yorkshire Local Council Association (YLCA), notwithstanding their value to PCs. She highlighted the difficulties faced by PCs to train councillors in their responsibilities and standards, noting the training provided by CYC previously had been good.

Members will receive a verbal update on the proposed Case Handling Procedure amendments.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer provided a verbal update to Members, explaining that due to the general election, the case handling procedure had not progressed through the Constitution Working Group.  A further update would be brought once progress had been made.

To consider the Committee’s work plan for the current year and decide whether any amendments or additions are required.

Members considered the committee’s work  plan for the current municipal year.

Resolved:  

                i.          That the work plan be approved subject to the following additions:

                    17 September 2024

·       Training Update

·       Parish Council visits

12 November 2024

·       YLCA representative to attend

               ii.          That the Chair write to former Parish Councillor Rawlings to formally thank him and acknowledge his service to the Committee.

Reason:      To ensure that the committee has a planned programme of work in place.

To receive a routine update report on recent standards complaints.

Members considered a report which provided an update on current business as regards complaints.

Resolved:  That the report be noted.

Reason:     To ensure that the committee is aware of current levels of activity.