Agenda and minutes

At this point, members are asked to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they may have in the business on this agenda.

Members were invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interests they had in the business on the agenda.  No interests were declared.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 10 August 2007.

RESOLVED:             That the minutes of the meeting of 10 August 2007 be approved and signed as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak, regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the remit of the Standards Committee, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5pm on Thursday 27 September 2007.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak under the Council’s public participation scheme.

This report sets out details of applications for dispensations received by Councillors Bruce, Jamison, Dale, Livesley, Dunn, Mellors, Green, Thornton, Harrison and Watkins of Bishopthorpe Parish Council in respect of their participation in the St Andrew’s  Reading Room charity.

Members considered a report that set out details of applications for dispensations received by Councillors Bruce, Jamison, Dale, Livesley, Dunn, Mellors, Green, Thornton, Harrison and Watkins of Bishopthorpe Parish Council in respect of their participation in the St Andrew’s Reading Room Charity.

Members discussed the letter which the Head of Civic, Legal and Democratic Services had written to Bishopthorpe Parish Council.  Bishopthorpe Parish Council gave the following answers to Members’ questions:

·        Q: What are the quorate requirements for both the Parish Council and the Charity?  A: Four

·        Q: What are the minimum number of Trustees required by the Charity?

 A: Ten

·        Q: Is it permissible to nominate non-parish Councillors as Trustees for the Charity?  A: No

·        Q: Are there any other prejudicial interests arising out of membership of both bodies or is the interest simply due to participation in both the Parish Council and the Trust?  A: Interest is due to participation in both the Parish Council, Trust and Code of Conduct.

·        Q: Specifically, are any members of the Parish Councillors family or close friends employed or benefiting significantly from the Charity?  A: No

·        Q: Has advice been sought from the Charities Commission regarding this issue?  A: No from the Code of Conduct.

·        Q: Is it possible to have sight of any Trust documents?  A: Yes

Members considered the responses and agreed to approve the grant of a dispensation  for four years.

RESOLVED: That the dispensation to permit those named members of Bishopthorpe Parish Council to speak and vote on matters relating to the St Andrew’s Reading Room Charity be granted for four years from the date of this meeting.

REASON:      To ensure that the decisions of Bishopthorpe Parish Council are in accordance with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000.

To review the workplan for the Standards Committee for the 2007/2008 municipal year.

Members considered a workplan for 2007/2008. The amended workplan is attached to these minutes.

A reminder on completion of registration of interest forms.

Members were reminded to complete their registration of interest forms. 

RESOLVED: That the Parish Councillor be sent the  forms to complete. 

REASON:      To ensure that all Members complete their registration of interest forms.

A presentation to the Committee on the Standards Board Code of Conduct.

Members received a presentation on the Standards Board Code of Conduct.  It illustrated the prejudicial, personal and predetermination changes and highlighted causes of bullying and issuing of confidential papers.

RESOLVED: That Members be provided with copies of the Code of Conduct pocket guide.

REASON:      To ensure Members are up to date on the Standards Board Code of Conduct.