Meeting documents

Standards Committee
Wednesday, 21 September 2005

Standards Committee
Wednesday, 21 September 2005
7:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Record of the meeting

This record is subject to approval at the next meeting

PRESENT: 
Committee members:Councillors Buckwell, Kearney and Mrs Shaw, Michael Coulson (Chairman) (independent member), Anthony Dance (independent member), Parish Councillor David Coomber (Parish council representative)

355RECORD OF THE MEETING
 
The record of the meeting held on 20 July 2005 was signed by the Chairman as correct.
356APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
 
Apologies for absence were received from Christine Johnson (independent member), Alan Povey (independent member) and Parish Councillor David Warrington (St James, Isle of Grain).
357WORK OF INTERNAL AUDIT
 Discussion:
 
Members received a report from the Audit Services Manager, Central Finance, on the work of internal audit. The Audit Services Manager provided background material in a 'frequently asked questions' format.
 > Internal audit (pdf file 33.7kb)
 Decision:
 
Members thanked the Audit Services Manager for his presentation and congratulated the Internal Audit Team on their high level comprehensive performance assessment result.
Members noted the contents of the report.
358GENERAL UPDATE ON STANDARDS ISSUES
 Discussion:
 
The Monitoring Officer presented a report that updated members on developments relating to the work of the committee.
Kent and Medway Independent Members of Standards Committees Group
The Chairman gave members an update on issues arising relating to the work of independent members.
National Assembly of Standards Committees
Michael Coulson (Chairman) (independent member), Anthony Dance (independent member) and the Monitoring Officer, who represented the council at the National Assembly of Standards Committees in Birmingham on 5 and 6 September 2005, gave an overview of the issues raised at the meeting.
Consultation and revision to code of conduct
The Monitoring Officer gave members an update on the Standards Board's proposals for the changes to the code of conduct.
Future work considerations
The Monitoring Officer circulated details of the committee's terms of reference and members discussed future work considerations including the use of the Audit Commission's ethical standards of self-assessment tool kit.
 > General update (pdf file 18.3kb)
 Decision:
 
 (a)Members noted the feedback given from meetings of the independent members and the National Assembly of Standards Committees.
 (b)Members noted the Standards Board's proposal for the changes to the code of conduct.
 (c)Members instructed the Monitoring Officer to produce a report on the use of the Audit Commission's ethical standards self assessment tool kit.
 (d)Members asked the Monitoring Officer to invite relevant officers on the training of school governors.
 (e)Members requested that 'Complaints to Standards Board' be a standard item on future agendas.
 (f)Members asked the Monitoring Officer to issue a reminder to all members regarding the Medway code of conduct on an annual basis.