Archived decisions

Contact: Kelvin Ridout - 01962 847356; email: [email protected]

1. Introduction

1.1 At its meeting on 6 June 2007, the Fire Authority appointed Councillor M. J. Woodhall as Chairman of the Standards Committee until such time that legislation is introduced making it a requirement for an independent member to assume this role.

1.2 In readiness for this change, the Authority asked the Clerk to make arrangements for an informal panel of three members to meet with those current independent members interested in a future chairmanship role and to report the outcome of this as a recommendation to the Authority.

2. Current guidance and proposed future legislation

2.1 The Standards Board for England has previously issued guidance to the effect that although there is no requirement under current legislation for an independent member to chair the Standards Committee, it is in their opinion good practice to do so. In their view, it promotes confidence in local arrangements and sends out a strong signal to the public and to the Authority's own members.

2.2 Subsequently, provision has been made in the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act which, if enacted, makes it a requirement that an Authority's Standards Committee must be chaired by an independent member.

3. Independent Members serving on the Standards Committee

3.1 Mrs. Wendy Allen, Mr. Martin James and Miss Sandra Roberts are the three current independent members serving on the Authority's Standards Committee. Their four year term of office expires in February 2010. Whereas Mrs. Allen and Miss Roberts have been independent members of the committee since it was established in 2002, Mr. James was appointed in February 2006.

3.2 The Clerk has approached the three independent members and Mr. James and Mrs. Allen both indicated an interest to chair the Standards Committee if this was the wish of the Authority. Miss Roberts indicated that she did not feel able to devote sufficient time to this role.

4. Interview Panel

4.1 A Panel comprising Councillors M.F. Cartwright (Chairman), Mrs. J. Frankum and D. Harrison met on 14 September, 2007 to interview Mr. James and Mrs. Allen. However, Mrs. Allen was unwell and the Panel went ahead and interviewed just Mr. James on that day. A new date of 8 October, 2007 was agreed for the Panel to interview Mrs. Allen. Before the first interview, the Panel met and agreed a series of criteria by which to assess the qualities they were seeking in the HFRA Standards Committee Chairperson, namely, a confident and articulate person; a good communicator; sufficient time to devote to role; experience of chairing or serving on other Committees or Community Groups; IT literate and an understanding of what Standards Committee role is. Both candidates were asked identical questions and given a score 1(low) to 4(high) as to their rating in meeting each of the above criteria. As a result, the Panel unanimously agreed to recommend Mr. James as the future independent member Chairman of the Standards Committee. Mr. James and Mrs. Allen have been informed of the recommendation of the Panel. If the recommendation is accepted, it is intended that Mr. James take up appointment following the implementation of the new legislation requiring the Standards Committee to have an independent Chair. It is expected that this requirement will come into force in Spring 2008.

RECOMMENDATION:

That Mr. M. James be appointed to serve as the Chairman of the HFRA Standards Committee at such time in the future that provision made in the Public Involvement in Health Act is enacted, making it a requirement of this committee to be chaired by an independent member.

4gR471107

Section 100 D - :Local Government Act 1972 - background documents

The following documents discuss facts or matters on which this report, or an important part of it, is based and have 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.