Archived decisions
AT A MEETING of the HAMPSHIRE FIRE AND RESCUE AUTHORITY STANDARDS COMMITTEE held at The Castle, Winchester on 12 December, 2008.
PRESENT:
Mr. M. James (Independent Member - Chairman); A. Evans; A. Fraser; E.F. Gale, MBE; D. Harrison and R. Kimber.
70 APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs. J. Frankum and from Miss S. Roberts.
71 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, save for exercising any right to speak in accordance with paragraph 12 of the Code.
There were no declarations of interest made by Members under this item.
72 MINUTES
The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 September, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
73 DEPUTATIONS
There were no deputations.
74 CONSULTATION ON CODES OF CONDUCT FOR COUNCILLORS AND EMPLOYEES
The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 5 in the Minute Book) about the Department of Communities and Local Government Consultation Paper on the Codes of Conduct for Councillors and Employees.
The Clerk introduced the report and highlighted the main principles being proposed in the Codes and a suggested response to the consultation from the Authority. After careful consideration, the Committee supported the proposed responses as set out in the report with the exception of any comment being made about raising the current threshold for the declaration of gifts and hospitality by Members from £25 to £100.
RESOLVED:
That the Clerk be asked to submit a response on behalf of the Authority to the Department of Communities and Local Government Consultation Paper on the Codes of Conduct for Councillors and Employees in the terms set out in the report with the exception that no mention be made of raising the current threshold for the declaration of gifts and hospitality by Members from £25.
75 SEVENTH ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF STANDARDS COMMITTEES 13 AND 14 OCTOBER IN BIRMINGHAM
The Committee considered the report of the Clerk (Item 6 in the Minute Book) summarising the key points raised at the Seventh Annual Assembly of Standards Committees held on 13 and 14 October, 2008 in Birmingham.
Members welcomed the report back on the Assembly and whilst considering the various factors which made a Standards Committee effective took particular note of the need to ensure that there are procedures in place for whistle blowing and combating fraud. They asked the Clerk to investigate the position on this matter in relation to Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the report summarising the key points raised at the Seventh Annual Assembly of Standards Committees be noted.
(b) That the Clerk prepare a report for the next meeting of this Committee about the procedures in place for whistle blowing and combating fraud in the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service.
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