Archived decisions

REPORT OF THE

STANDARDS COMMITTEE

PART I

APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT MEMBERS TO STANDARDS COMMITTEE AND INDEPENDENT REMUNERATION PANEL

1. A Panel of Members appointed by the Committee recently interviewed short-listed candidates to serve on the Standards Committee for Hampshire County Council, following the placing of public advertisements. The level of response and quality of applications was very encouraging and after detailed consideration they agreed to recommend to the County Council the following two people:-

    (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 sufficient
    time to contribute fully to the County Council's Standards
    Committee.

      The Panel were also impressed by the application submitted by Mr. Randolph Coldham from Andover and therefore identified him as the first reserve. They propose that the appointments should run for a four-year period expiring in February 2006.

2. The same Panel also met to interview short-listed candidates for the post of independent Members to serve on the Remuneration Panel. Again the level of response and quality of applications was encouraging and the Committee recommend to the County Council the following two people for appointment:-

      (a) Mr Geoff Boutle from Oakley, Basingstoke. His background is as a Human Resources Director and Company Secretary and he 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.

      The Panel were also impressed by the application submitted by Dr. Elizabeth Waterman-Roberts and therefore identified her as first reserve. They propose that the appointments should run for a four-year period expiring in February 2006. In addition, approaches were made to a member of the former Independent Remuneration Panel, Professor Malcolm Grant, who has agreed that he would be prepared to serve on the new Remuneration Panel and to act as its Chairman. The Committee recommend accordingly to the County Council.

3. The Committee has identified several specific issues related to Members' allowances which they would like the Independent Remuneration Panel to consider at an early opportunity. It therefore follows that existing Members' allowances will continue until such time as any changes recommended by the Independent Remuneration Panel have been approved by the County Council.

RECOMMENDATION

1. That Mr. John Chester and Dr. Barbara Spender be appointed as the two 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 Boutle and Mr. Frederick Quick be appointed to serve on the Independent Remuneration Panel for a period of four years expiring in February 2006; and that Dr. Elizabeth Waterman-Roberts be identified as the first reserve.

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

4. That existing Members' allowances be continued until such time as the Independent Remuneration Panel has made its recommendations and any changes approved by the County Council, and that any such changes be backdated as appropriate.

      P.A. PIERCE

      Chairman

5nR320102