Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the STANDARDS COMMITTEE of the HAMPSHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY held at Westgate Chambers, Winchester on 26 June, 2002

PRESENT:

Mrs. C. Barratt, Mr. R. Coldham, Councillor A. Collett, Councillor Mrs. M. Snaith, Councillor Mrs. J. Rayment.

Also present: Mr. J. Pattison and Mrs. M. Boyes (Clerk's Office).

4 APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Mr. G.M. King, JP and Mrs. W. Burton.

5 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

In the absence of Mr. G.M. King, JP, Councillor Mrs. J. Rayment was appointed Chairman for the duration of the meeting.

6 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 14 March, 2002 were signed as a correct record.

7 CODE OF CONDUCT - LOCAL INVESTIGATION AND DETERMINATION OF MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS - CONSULTATION PAPER

The Committee considered a report of the Clerk (Item 3 in the Minute Book) on the consultation paper that had been received by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR) setting out proposals for the local investigation and determination of misconduct allegations against members.

Mr. Pattison introduced the report to the Committee and advised Members that comments on the consultation paper were required to be received by the Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions by 1 July, 2002, which was a short timescale as the consultation paper was only published on 20 May, 2002. The Committee considered the report in detail and following discussion the following issues were agreed.

Paragraph 3.3

It was agreed that any complaint received by the Authority should be referred to the Standards Board within a maximum period of 28 days, and that a special meeting of the Standards Committee could be called in order for the complaint to be considered prior to being referred to the Standards Board.

Paragraph 5.3

Members sought clarification on this paragraph as the consultation paper was suggesting that Monitoring Officers would not have powers to compel any person to provide them with information, documentation or explanation under threat of criminal conviction. The committee felt it would significantly reduce the ability of Monitoring Officers to fully and fairly investigate complaints and therefore the committee asked the response to the DTLR sought clarification on this issue with a view to rethinking the implications and the reasons as to why they had suggested this approach.

Paragraph 6.2

The Committee agreed that should the Standards Committee need to be convened then all 7 members of the committee would be requested to attend, however a minimum number of 5 would be the agreed quorum, to include at least one independent member. The nominated Standards Committee Chairman would also chair the Standards Committee whenever possible when they convened.

Paragraph 9 - Costs

That the response to the DTLR be as laid out in the report under this hearing.

Members asked for a future agenda item on advice and guidance to Members. Members felt it was important as part of the process to be able to provide Members with an avenue to seek impartial advice and guidance if they were being complained about and subject to an investigation.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted and a copy of the report be forwarded to the DTLR as the response from Hampshire Police Authority together with additional comments outlined in these Minutes.

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