Issue - meetings

To consider the Monitoring Officer’s report in respect of the Terms of Reference for the Standards Committee.

The report addresses the issue of whistle-blowing and anti-bullying;  both policies are attached as appendices.

The Committee considered the Monitoring Officer’s report in respect of the Terms of Reference for the Standards Committee.

The report had been prepared following discussion at the “Away-Day” held on 11^th December 2009, at which time the issue of whistle-blowing and anti-bullying had been raised.  A copy of the whistle-blowing policy and the anti-bullying policy, styled as the “Dignity at Work” policy were submitted with the report.

Members’ discussion focused on the audit function which currently rested with the Governance and Constitution Committee. Members were informed that the Key Lines of Enquiry (the questions which the Audit Commission used to assess local authorities during the Corporate Performance Assessment process) required the establishment of a bespoke Audit Committee. Initial discussions had taken place at Officer level and the Monitoring Officer would be discussing this with the Chairmen of the Governance and Constitution Committee and the Standards Committee. The Democratic Services Manager had been  asked to prepare a report which explored the possible division of responsibilities between the two Committees, with particular reference to the audit function.

Reference was made to the “Dignity at Work” policy.  Comment was made that this related to the relationship between employees but did not take into account the relations between Members and Officers.  It was suggested that a draft Member/Officer Protocol be prepared for consideration and development.

RESOLVED:

That

(a)               The question of a Member/Officer Protocol be considered at the next meeting; and

(b)               That a report be submitted to the next meeting in respect of the possible division of responsibilities between the Governance and Constitution Committee and the Standards Committee, with particular reference to the audit function.