Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority

6 February, 2002

Establishment of a Standards Committee

Report of the Clerk

Contact: Kelvin Ridout - 01962 847356

1. Summary

1.1. To approve the membership of the Standards Committee, the appointment of two independent members and other details concerning the establishment of this new Committee.

2. Standards Committee

2.1. As members will be aware there is a requirement for the Authority to establish a Standards Committee, the role of which will be to promote and maintain high standards of conduct in the Authority and to assist the Authority's members to observe the Authority's Code of Conduct which is referred to elsewhere on the agenda for this meeting.

2.2. At its meeting on 26 September, 2001, the Authority agreed that the Standards Committee should comprise of five of its members (3 Conservative, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Labour) plus two independent members.

2.3. A Selection Panel was appointed comprising Councillors J. Stocks, G. Semmens, W.H. Wheeler and M. Gausden, to deal with the independent member appointments. Accordingly, interviews of the short-listed candidates were held on 18 December, 2001 and two persons are now recommended for appointment by the Authority. These are:-

Wendy Burton from Southsea - Wendy is the Manageress of a Charity Shop in Portsmouth. As well as managing a number of voluntary staff, she serves in a voluntary capacity on a Management Board of Warden Housing and on a Residential Advisory panel.

Sandra Roberts from Copnor - Sandra is an experienced professional with achievements in teaching, management and clinical positions. She has expertise in numerous clinical specialities especially intensive therapy which has been gained in public, military and private hospitals.

3. Quorum

3.1. For the Standards Committee to be quorate, the Government requires that, at least three members need to be present, including at least one independent member. The Government further propose that where that independent member cannot take part in the proceedings because of a contravention of the Code of Conduct, then the requirement for at least one independent to be present for the proceedings to be quorate does not apply.

4. Terms of Reference and Meetings

4.1. The Terms of Reference of the Committee now need to be approved by the Authority and it is recommended that these be as set out in the Appendix to this report.

4.2. It is proposed that initially four meetings of the Standards Committee be programmed into the year. The meetings can be scheduled to take place a week or two before meetings of the Authority. If this is supported, the Clerk will prepare a schedule of dates on this basis for inclusion in the Calendar of Meetings.

5. Next Steps

5.1. It is anticipated that joint training for members of the Standards Committee will be provided in conjunction with the County Council and Police Authority who are also establishing similar Committees. After the joint training arrangements will be made for the first meeting of the Authority's Standards Committee to be held.

6. European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998

6.1. The proposals within this report are compatible with the provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Human Rights Act 1998.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

(i) That the Standards Committee be established as a formal Committee of the Authority and that five members be appointed on the basis of 3 Conservatives, 1 Liberal Democrat and 1 Labour, as agreed by the Authority at its meeting on 26 September, 2001.

(ii) That Wendy Burton and Sandra Roberts be appointed as the two independent members to serve on the Standards Committee for a period of 4 years, expiring in February, 2006.

(iii) That the Authority appoint a Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Standards Committee.

(iv) That approval be given to the terms of reference and frequency of meetings as set out in the report.

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.

None

NB the list excludes:

1 Published works.

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

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APPENDIX

HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1 To advise the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Authority on the adoption or revision of a Code of Conduct for both members and officers.

2 To monitor the operation of the Authority's Code of Conduct.

3 To advise, train or arrange to train Members of the Authority on matters relating to the Authority's Code of Conduct and standards of conduct generally.

4 To grant dispensation to Members of the Authority from certain specified requirements relating to interest to be set out in the Code of Conduct.

5 To deal with any reports from the National Standards Board for England or a Case Tribunal on complaints against Members or officers of the Authority.

6 To consider and deal with any reports from the Clerk on any matters relating to the conduct of members and officers of the Authority.

7 To promote high standards of conduct in the Authority.

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