Issue - meetings

To receive the Vice-Chairman’s report of a meeting of the Publicity Working Group held on 23^rd June 2009.

Members’ attention is drawn to the following -

(1)       Draft Publicity Leaflet (Making a Complaint)

            At the meeting held on 18^th May 2009, it was reported that the Publicity Sub-Committee had developed a leaflet intended to explain, in a user-friendly manner, the role and work of the Standards Committee.

            At that meeting, a draft document was considered and a number of suggested amendments were made.  These have been incorporated into a revised document which is now attached for approval, in principle, subject to a number of editorial amendments which are required. 

(2)       Guidance on Personal and Prejudicial Interests

            A guidance note on declaration of personal and prejudicial interests has been prepared by the Publicity Sub-Committee and submitted to the Standards Board for England for confirmation.  A draft is attached and Members’ comments are invited.

(3)       Council’s Website

            In due course, the publicity leaflet will be added to the Council’s website, together with links to the Standards Board for England and the Adjudication Panel.          

51.1         Draft Publicity Leaflet (Making a Complaint)

At the meeting held on 18^th May 2009, it had been reported that the Publicity Working Group had developed a leaflet intended to explain, in a user-friendly manner, the role and work of the Standards Committee.

At that meeting, a draft document was considered and a number of suggested amendments were made.  These had been incorporated into a revised document which was now submitted for approval, in principle.  A number of editorial amendments were required and the Chief Officer of the Cheshire Association of Local Councils had also suggested an amendment, namely –

Third page of leaflet – heading “Code of conduct” – first line to read “The Councils have adopted a Code of Conduct…..”

The document was intended for wide distribution; sufficient numbers would be issued to Town and Parish Councils to enable copies to be provided for each Town and Parish Councillor; it was expected that it would be included in the next edition of the Cheshire East newsletter which was distributed to each household in the borough; and copies would be provided for libraries and other appropriate deposit locations.

Mr Pomlett undertook to prepare a brief draft press release for issue to the Communications Team. 

RESOLVED

That

(1)               The leaflet submitted be approved, subject to amendments discussed at the meeting, and any other minor amendments to be agreed between the Chairman and the Monitoring Officer;

(2)               In due course, the leaflet be issued to Town and Parish Clerks; and

(3)               The leaflet be issued early September 2009.

51.2         Guidance on Personal and Prejudicial Interests

A guidance note on declaration of personal and prejudicial interest had been prepared by the Publicity Working Group and submitted to The Standards Board for England for confirmation.

Neither the Standards Board nor the Monitoring Officer had had the opportunity to consider the document. 

RESOLVED

That subject to comments to be made by the Monitoring Officer and Standards Board for England the guidance note be issued in September 2009.

51.3         Council’s Website

It was noted that in due course, the following would be added to the Council’s website on the Standards Committee page –

·        Publicity leaflet on the work of the Committee (Minute No. 51.1);

·        Guidance Note on Personal and Prejudicial Interests (Minute No. 51.2);

·        Link to the Standards Board for England and the Adjudication Panel.