Contact: Colin Hinxman, extn 7343 and David Pryke, extn 7342

1. Standards Committee

1.1 The panel of members appointed by the committee (Councillors
P. A. Pierce, Mrs. S. M. Glasspool, Mrs. E. S. M. Barron and
W. H. Wheeler) met on two occasions. On 27 November 2001 they considered the 13 applications received to serve on the Standards Committee for Hampshire County Council, and reduced those to a short-list of 6 . On 20 December 2001 they then interviewed 5 of the 6 short-listed candidates; the 6^th candidate was unable to attend owing to a preceding engagement.

1.2 After full and detailed consideration of the applications and the interview process, the panel unanimously recommended 2 of the people for appointment as independent members. These are:

(a) Mr. John Chester, from Easton in the Itchen Valley. His background is in the armed services and more recently in management and personnel. Since his recent retirement, he has become increasingly involved in local community activities and has the background knowledge and sufficient time to make an effective contribution to standards in Hampshire.


(b) Dr. Barbara Spender

Dr. Spender comes from Oliver's Battery and has an academic
background. She works in educational consultancy and research
and has several community interests notably acting as a school
governor and magistrate. She has also been appointed to serve as
an independent member on Winchester City Council's Standards
Committee. She has the background knowledge, and also sufficient
time to contribute fully to the County Council's Standards
Committee.

1.3 The panel were also impressed by the application submitted by

Mr. Randolph Coldham from Andover, who again has substantial

management and personnel experience and who has, in fact, been

appointed as an independent member of the Police Authority's

Standards Committee. They would, therefore, like to identify him as

first reserve to take over in the event that either of the 2 recommended

candidates resigns or becomes unable to serve at some time in the future.

The panel further recommends that the appointments should run for a

period of 4 years, expiring in February 2006.

2. Independent Remuneration Panel

2.1 The Panel of Members appointed by the Committee (Councillors P. A. Pierce,

Mrs. S. M. Glasspool, Mrs. E. S. M. Barron and W. H. Wheeler) met on

27 November 2001 to consider the 20 applications received to serve on the Independent Remuneration Panel and reduced these to a shortlist of 6. On

20 December 2001 Councillors P. A . Pierce; Mrs. S. M. Glasspool;

A. R. Ludlow acting as deputy for Councillor Mrs. Barron and W. H. Wheeler interviewed 5 of the 6 shortlisted candidates; the 6^th candidate withdrew on the day.

2.2 After full and detailed consideration of the applications and the interview process the Panel unanimously recommended 2 of the people for appointment as members to the Independent Remuneration Panel. These are:-

(a) Mr Geoff Bootle from Oakley, Basingstoke. His background is as a

Human Resources Director and Company Secretary and has been responsible for setting remuneration strategies for staff. He took early retirement in May 2001 and is currently training as a counsellor. His background knowledge will be of assistance to the Panel and he has sufficient time to contribute fully to the Panel.


(b) Mr Frederick Quick from Lymington. His background is as an Independent Human Resources Consultant and Head of Personnel Services. Following voluntary redundancy he has been involved voluntarily, as a member of the Hampshire Citizens Advice Bureau Employment Tribunal and as a director of Southampton Industrial Therapy Organisation. His background knowledge will be of assistance to the Panel and he has sufficient time to contribute fully to the Panel.

2.3 The Panel were also impressed by the application submitted by
Dr. Elizabeth Waterman-Roberts who has substantial knowledge in human
resources. They wished to identify her as a first reserve to take over in the
event that either of the two recommended candidates resigns or became
unavailable to serve at some time in the future. The Panel further recommends
that the appointment should run for a period of 4 years, expiring in
February 2006.

2.4 At the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 29 October 2001 it was
resolved to approach a member of the previous Remuneration Panel to chair
the new panel. Professor Grant, the previous chairman, has been approached
and he has agreed to chair the new Independent Remuneration Panel.

2.5 As the new Panel will not be formally appointed until the meeting of the
County Council on 21 February 2002 it will not be possible for any new
members allowances to be brought into effect immediately.

2.5.1 In the circumstances it is recommended that the existing members allowances be continued until such time as the Independent Remuneration Panel have made their recommendations and any changes approved by the County Council and that such changes be backdated as appropriate.

2.6 The Leader has suggested that the Standards Committee should request the Independent Remuneration Panel to consider, among other things:

2.6.1 The special responsibility allowance for Policy Review Committee Vice-Chairmen.

2.6.2 The special responsibility allowance for the Chairman of the Standards Committee.

2.6.3 Review of the Labour Opposition Leader's allowance.

2.6.4 Special responsibility allowance for Cabinet Members without portfolio.

2.6.5 Annual review of Members' annual allowance.

2.6.6 The Standards Committee may wish to consider whether there are any other specific items which they would like the Independent Remuneration Panel to consider.

RECOMMENDATION

That it be a RECOMMENDATION to the County Council.

1. That Mr. John Chester and Dr. Barbara Spender be appointed as the 2 independent members to serve on the County Council's Standards Committee for a period of 4 years expiring in February 2006; and that
Mr Randolph Coldham be identified as the first reserve.

2. That Mr Geoff Bootle and Mr. Frederick Quick be appointed to serve on the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 4 years expiring in
February 2006; and that Dr. Elizabeth Waterman-Roberts be identified as the first reserve.

3. That Professor Malcolm Grant be appointed to chair the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of 4 years expiring in February 2006.

4. That the existing members allowances be continued until such time as the Independent Remuneration Panel have made their recommendations and any changes approved by the County Council and that such changes be backdated as appropriate.

5. That the Independent Remuneration Panel be requested to give specific consideration to the issues on Members' allowances set out in paragraph 2.6 above, together with any other particular items identified by the Standards Committee.

Section 100 D - Local Government Act 1972 - background papers

The following documents disclose facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and has been relied upon to a material extent in the preparation of this report.

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

2 Documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.

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