Archived decisions

AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY STANDARDS COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 16 March, 2007.

PRESENT:

Councillors: M.J. Woodhall (Chairman); Mrs. J. Frankum; E.F. Gale MBE;

R. Kimber.

Independent Members: Mr. M. James; Miss S. Roberts.

48 APOLOGIES

Apologies for absence were received from P. Galton; D. Harrison and Mrs. W. Allen.

49 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.

50 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17 March, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

51 DEPUTATIONS

There were no deputations.

52 CONSULTATION ON AMENDMENTS TO THE MODEL CODE OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL AUTHORITY MEMBERS AND PROPOSALS CONTAINED IN THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH BILL

The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute Book) on proposed Government amendments to the model Code of Conduct for Members and on some suggested changes to the Standards regime which are contained within the Local Government and Public Involvement and Health Bill.

During a full discussion the Committee supported the commentaries provided by the Clerk within the report on the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct for Members and on the main provisions of the bill so far as they relate to conduct matters. In doing so, Members highlighted in particular the new provision to be inserted in the Code prohibiting bullying. Whilst in favour of this addition, the Committee felt that bullying behaviour also needed to be defined within the Code as suggested in the report. Members asked that the Standards Board for England be made aware of this.

RESOLVED:

(a) That the Committee notes the content of the report and endorses the actions of the Clerk.


(b) That a copy of the report be sent to the Standards Board for England drawing their attention to several of the provisions within the proposed Code of Conduct for Members (including that on bullying) where the interpretation needs to be made more clear and specific.

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