Issue - meetings

Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, will be in attendance for discussion of this item.

Mrs Jackie Weaver, Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils, who was in attendance for this item, addressed the issue of the abolition of the Standards regime, emphasising that the Code was still in existence and was likely to remain so for some time.

She also offered advice and responded to questions which were related to the Code of Conduct and alternative systems which could be introduced, as discussed under Minute No. 39 above.

The role of parish and town councils was raised.  It was understood that some parish councils within Cheshire West and Chester were proposing to introduce individual Codes which would be applied to their own parish or town councils.  Members acknowledged that this would be unwieldy and cause confusion amongst the public if there were numerous Codes within one Borough Council area.  If a voluntary Code were to be introduced, it should be for application Cheshire East-wide and parish and town councils should be encouraged to adopt the Cheshire East model.

Following her presentation, Mrs Weaver was thanked for her contribution to the meeting.