AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY STANDARDS COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 22 June, 2007.
PRESENT:
Councillors: M.J. Woodhall (Chairman); E.F. Gale MBE; D. Harrison; R. Kimber.
Independent Members: Mr. M. James.
53 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor D. Phillips and Mrs. W. Allen.
54 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were mindful that, where they believed that they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest in any matter to be considered at the meeting, they should, normally at the time of the debate, declare their interest and having regard to the circumstances described in Paragraphs 9, 10, 11 and 12 of the Fire Authority's Code of Conduct consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter was discussed.
There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.
55 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 16 March, 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
56 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
57 REVISED MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR MEMBERS
The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute Book) giving a brief synopsis of the changes introduced by the revised Code of Conduct. Members supported the codes adoption.
RESOLVED:
That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the Authority:
That the revised Code of Conduct for Members, as set out as an Appendix to the report, be approved.
58 INDEPENDENT MEMBER CHAIRMANSHIP
At its meeting on 6 June, 2007, the Authority appointed Councillor M.J. Woodhall as Chairman of this Committee until such time that legislation is introduced making it a requirement for an independent member to assume this role. To prepare for this, the Authority agreed that an informal Panel of 3 Members of the Standards Committee (1:1:1) should meet with the two independent Members who have indicated a wish to be considered for the Chairmanship role.
The Committee supported a proposal that the informal Panel should meet with the interested independent Members directly preceding its next meeting on 14 September. This would enable the Panel's decision to be reported to the Committee that same day and, as a recommendation to the Authority itself, on 26 September, 2006. The Clerk was asked to make the necessary arrangements. In the meantime, the Committee considered the membership of the informal Panel.
It was,
RESOLVED:
(a) That an informal Panel of 3 Members of the Standards Committee (Councillors M.J. Woodhall; Mrs. J. Frankum and D. Harrison be appointed to meet with the two independent Members who have indicated a wish to be considered for the Chairmanship role.
(b) That the Clerk make the necessary arrangements for the Panel to meet with the two independent Members at an appropriate time, directly preceding the next Standards Committee on 14 September, 2007.
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