Agenda item

To consider proposed changes to the constitution as recommended by the Standards Committee in relation to the Council’s Code of Conduct, Financial Regulations and Procurement Regulations.

Report by Ian Gibbons, Associate Director Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer.

The Chairman invited Councillor Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet Member, to present the report which requested Council to consider proposed changes to the constitution as recommended by the Standards Committee in relation to the Council’s Code of Conduct, Financial Regulations and Procurement Regulations.

The Chairman stated that he would allow each recommendation to be considered and voted upon separately.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler stated, in response to a question submitted by Councillor Christopher Newbury, that: each complaint into alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct would be dealt with on its own facts; that Councillors would be given an opportunity to give an initial response to complaints; and that the change in the guidance should result in fewer complaints being referred for investigation.

Having been put to the vote, it was;

Resolved

That Council makes no changes to the Code of Conduct but adopts the proposed guidance as shown at Appendix 2c of the report presented to assist Members in meeting their obligations under the Code and agrees that any review of the guidance is overseen by the Standards Committee.

Recorded Vote:

Councillor Russell Hawker requested that his vote against the above decision be recorded.

Councillor Wheeler then presented the recommendations regarding the Financial Regulations.

There being no questions, the meeting;

Resolved

That Council approve adoption of a revised Part 9 of the Constitution, as shown at Appendix 3a of the report of the report presented.

Councillor Wheeler then presented the recommendations regarding the Procurement Regulations.

There being no questions, the meeting;

Resolved

That Council approve adoption of a revised Part 10 of the Constitution (with subsequent parts renumbered), as shown at Appendix 4 of the report presented.