Agenda and minutes

None.

Members are requested to declare the existence and nature of any disclosable pecuniary interests and/or other interests, not already on their register of interests, in any item in the agenda and withdraw from the meeting at the appropriate time.

Councillor H Weatherall declared an interest in agenda item 5, Gifts and Hospitality Annual Report, as she was named in the report. 

To approve as a correct record and the Chair to sign the Minutes of the Standards Committee held on 13 November 2024 and the Extraordinary Standards Committee held on 23 January 2025.

RESOLVED – That the Minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 13 November 2024 and the Extraordinary Standards Committee held on 23 January 2025 be approved as records and signed by the Chair. 

Committee considered a report which detailed the annual review of the Whistleblowing Policy.  The report informed Members that the existing version of the policy was considered up-to-date with current legislation and best practice, and that no discussions have been made under the policy in 2024.

Committee considered the report.  The process for investigating concerns about elected members was clarified.  It was suggested that this be expanded upon in the Whistleblowing Policy Flowchart, attached in Appendix 1. 

RESOLVED – That:-

(1)          The policy on the Council’s website, be approved. 

(2)          Committee noted that no disclosures had been made under the Policy in 2024. 

Committee considered a report which detailed all entries in the Council’s Gifts and Hospitality Register during the period January 2024 to December 2024. The report recommended that Members consider whether a reminder should be sent out regarding the requirement to declare all offers of gifts and hospitality over the value of £50. Members received a handout detailing late submissions to the Gifts and Hospitality Register.

Committee considered the report and handout. It was felt that sending out a reminder, regarding the Gifts and Hospitality Register, was a good decision.

RESOLVED – That:

(1)          The contents of the annual report in respect of offers of gifts and hospitality made to Members and officers for the period January 2024 to

                        December 2024, be noted.

(2)          A reminder be sent regarding awareness of the Gifts and Hospitality Register.

Committee considered a report which proposed changes to the Council’s Constitution, following a “light touch” review. The report included a table of proposed changes, attached at Appendix 1, and the proposed Contract Procedure Rules, attached at Appendix 2. Committee received a handout which detailed proposed changes to the rules on substitutions.

Committee went through the table of proposed changes and discussed amendments accordingly. This included a breakdown of the proposed Contract Procedure Rules. It was clarified that the procurement team that had previously been serving the Shared Alliance was now working solely for North East Derbyshire District Council (NEDDC). The process for making this decision and reasons behind it were explained.

Members considered the constitutional changes affecting Planning Committee. It was suggested that the proposed change regarding deferrals be extended to Licensing Committee. Committee discussed the proposed changes to the call in process and the benefits/limitations these came with. It was agreed that the proposed changes be amended to give adjoining Ward Members and the Chair of Planning Committee the provision to call in planning applications.

Committee discussed the proposed changes to delegated decisions and the length of Motions to be submitted at Council. Members suggested amendments in relation to communicating delegated decisions with portfolio holders and putting a set word limit on Motions.

Committee considered the proposed changes to substitutions. It was suggested that substitutions also be permitted  for Standards Committee, but not for any Standards Committee hearings.

RESOLVED – That Members agreed the proposed changes and recommended them to Council for inclusion in the Constitution, subject to the amendments discussed being implemented by the Monitoring Officer.

The Committee considered its work programme for the remainder for the 2024/25 Municipal Year. The reason for the RIPA Policy Annual Report being deferred was explained.

It was suggested that the date for the next meeting be changed to accommodate for the upcoming Local Elections. It was agreed that a date would be decided with the Chair and Vice Chair outside of the meeting.

RESOLVED – That the work programme be noted.

To consider any other matter which the Chair is of the opinion should be considered as a matter of urgency.

None.