Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor O’Shea.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 15 November be confirmed as a correct record and signed by the chairman.

No interests were declared.

To consider the draft code of conduct and make recommendations to Council.

Consideration was given to the updated code of conduct. It was noted that Leicestershire County Council and several Leicestershire districts had adopted the same version.

Concern was expressed about the wording of the first point of 12.1 and it was suggested that it read that a dispensation would only be granted once. It was agreed that this would be amended.

Clarification was sought on the definition of “partner” in appendix B and whether it should include additional wording to read “…with whom you are living as if you are married or civil partners”. It was noted that this was wording specified in the Localism Act but would be clarified in guidance on the Register of Interests form.

In response to a question from a member, it was noted that the Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils, supported by the National Association of Local Councils, was continuing to encourage town and parish councils to adopt the locally amended code of conduct and, at this stage, there was no indication that any would not be adopting it.

In relation to training, it was stated that a training provider had been procured and dates would be circulated in due course. There would be a combination of face to face and virtual training to capture as many borough and town/parish councillors as possible.

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

RESOLVED – the model code of conduct as amended for local use be endorsed and RECOMMENDED to Council.

The Monitoring Officer reported that there were no outstanding complaints and, in response to a member’s question, confirmed that a recent complaint about a parish councillor had been dealt with by way of apology, with which the complainant was satisfied.

Councillor Bill entered the meeting at 6.44pm.

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 Bray, 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.

Minutes of the meetings held on 8 September and 16 November 2021.

Minutes of the Statutory Safety Committee were presented for information. During discussion, the following points were raised:

·         A member of staff had been absent due to covid but the minutes stated they were not infected at work. A member asked how this had been identified and it was agreed that this would be followed up

·         Attendance rates at lone worker training should be higher and action should be taken to achieve this

·         The use of dash cams in fleet vehicles had been agreed by management but unions would now need to be consulted because of the data privacy aspects.

Further to the comments about the lone worker training attendance, members expressed concern about the low take up of mandatory health and safety training and requested an update to the following meeting.

Discussion ensued on lone working support for members. It was noted that officers were looking into how to share the list of potentially violent customers with members, which included those with dangerous dogs at the premises and it was also confirmed that lone worker devices were being explored.