Issue - meetings

To receive a report on the ongoing recruitment process for Independent and Parish Council representatives.

Report attached.

Consideration was given to a report updating the Committee on the ongoing recruitment process for Independent and Parish Council representatives.

The recruitment process for Independent and Parish Council members was considered by the Committee on 8 July 2008.  It was resolved that approval be given to recruit Independent Members from the existing pool of Borough and County Council independent members and that a panel of members of the Committee be appointed to interview and recommend the appointment of Independent Members to the Committee.   It was also agreed that the Cheshire Association of Local Councils be approached to conduct a nomination process for the recruitment of Parish Council representatives with one nomination coming from each of the three districts.

The Panel had met to consider applications which had been sought and received from seven of the existing Independent Members and to interview each of the candidates.  The Panel decided to recommend that the five applicants be appointed as independent members of the Standards Committee, details of which were set out in the report.

The Panel also decided to recommend that “a reserve list of Independent members be created in case of future vacancies on the Standards Committee and that the remaining two applicants be placed on the reserve list, details of which were set out in the report

It was noted that the Committee needed to recruit 3 Parish Councillors to act as members of the Committee. At its previous meeting, the Committee had agreed that the Cheshire Association of Local Councils (ChALC) would be approached to assist in the recruitment process. As part of a joint process with Cheshire West and Chester Council, an approach had been made to the Cheshire Association, which has agreed to assist in the recruitment process.

In considering the report Members expressed concern that all Parish Councillors should have the opportunity to respond and there might be some difficulties with regard to informing them, as some Parish Council meetings had already taken place. It was understood that Parish Councillors would be contacted individually, rather than through the Parish Clerks, However, this would be clarified with ChALC.

RESOLVED

1.      That the progress with regard to the process for selection of Independent Members be noted   and that a recommendation be made to full Council on 20 October that the applicants set out in paragraph 4.2 of the report be appointed to the five Independent Member places and the applicants set out in 4.3 of this report be noted on a reserve list in case of future vacancies amongst the five Independent Member places.

2.      That the proposed timetable for appointment of Parish Council members be approved and that the Committee agree to reconsider this matter at it’s next meeting, providing that all Members have had the opportunity to respond.