Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Bill and O’Shea, with the substitution of Councillor J Crooks for Councillor Bill authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 24 March be confirmed as a correct record.

To receive verbally from members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

No interests were declared

To present an updated fire risk management policy.

The updated Fire Risk Management Policy was presented to members. During discussion, it was requested that information on fire risk management for block C of the Crescent and the leisure centre be sent to members. Fire risk in council housing was also discussed and members were asked to pass any concerns to the tenancy management team. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

RESOLVED – the Fire Risk Management Policy be approved.

To seek approval for the updated officer code of conduct.

Consideration was given to the updated code of conduct for employees. It was noted that the document had been through extensive consultation with trade unions and that training would be provided for staff. Discussion ensued on the following points:

·         The importance of equalities and treating members and the public respectfully

·         The possibility of making reference to the volunteering policy within the code of conduct – it was agreed that this would be included following on from the section on secondary employment

·         Other specific policies and processes which governed staff behaviour, for example the disciplinary and grievance policy, which meant that the code of conduct was a high level umbrella document

·         The right to a private life of staff which meant that declaring personal relationships could not be made mandatory

·         The need for a review of the code of conduct every two years.

The completion of a register of interests for officers was queried and, in response, it was noted that there was no legal requirement for this as there was with elected members, but that staff would be expected to discuss possible conflicts of interest with managers and agree ways of working to avoid a conflict of interest.

It was moved by Councillor Allen, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The code of conduct for employees be approved subject to inclusion of reference to the volunteering policy;

(ii)          A review of the document be undertaken every two years.

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act.

On the motion of Councillor Webber-Jones seconded by Councillor Cartwright, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Members were updated on progress in relation to ongoing and recently closed complaints.

A discussion on use of Independent Persons ensued and it was agreed that every attempt would be made to invite them on a rota basis.