Archived decisions

HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL

Decision Report

Decision Maker

Standards Committee

Date of Decision

30 November 2009

Decision Title

Recruitment of Independent Members to Standards Committee and to the Independent Remuneration Panel

Decision Reference

1088

Report From:

Head of Governance and Monitoring Officer

Contact name

Barbara Beardwell, Monitoring Officer

Tel

01962 845157

Email

[email protected]

1. Executive Summary

1.1 The County Council is required by virtue of the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000 ("the 2000 Act"), and the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008 ("the Standards Regulations") made thereunder to establish a Standards Committee. It is a legal requirement under the Standards Regulations that a Standards Committee must comprise at least 25% Independent Members, who must be approved by a majority of the Members of the County Council.

1.2 The County Council is also required under the provisions of the 2000 Act and the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 ("the Members' Allowances Regulations") made thereunder to appoint an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) to make recommendations to the County Council on allowances paid to Members. It is a legal requirement under the Members' Allowances Regulations that an IRP must comprise at least three Members independent of the County Council. Appointment of the IRP is also a County Council function.

1.3 The tenure of the current Independent Members of the Standards Committee and the IRP expires in February 2010. Adverts have now been placed with a view to suitable candidates being interviewed and thereafter proposed for appointment by the County Council at its meeting in February 2010.

1.4 Whilst appointments of Independent Members of the Standards Committee and the IRP are both County Council functions, guidance issued by the Standards Board for England advises that Standards Committees should assist in the recruitment of Independent Members to Standards Committees. The guidance also suggests that Standards Committees might also wish to appoint a Sub-Committee to interview prospective candidates and make recommendations to the County Council in respect of appointment of Independent Members to the Standards Committee.

1.5 There is no similar guidance regarding selection and appointment of Independent Members of an IRP. However, it would seem sensible that a similar process is adopted, and a Sub-Committee of Standards Committee could also interview and make recommendations in respect of appointment of the IRP.

1.6 At its meeting on 19 November 2009, the County Council delegated authority to Standards Committee to assist in the recruitment of Independent Members to Standards Committee and Members of the IRP.

2. The Selection Process

2.1 As indicated above, adverts have now been placed inviting application from members of the public interested in serving on Standards Committee and the IRP. The closing date for applications is 10 December 2009.

2.2 It is suggested that once this date has passed, a shortlist of suitable candidates is prepared by the Head of Governance together with the Head of Committee Services, matching applicants against the skills and competencies required of Independent Members of Standards Committee and the IRP.

2.3 It is suggested that thereafter shortlisted candidates are interviewed by a Sub-Committee of Standards Committee, following which recommendations will be made to the County Council in respect of appointment of Independent Members of Standards Committee and the IRP.

3. Recommendation

3.1 That Members of Standards Committee appoint a Sub-Committee of three Members of Standards Committee to assist in the recruitment of Independent Members to Standards Committee and the IRP.

3.2 That the Sub-Committee of Standards Committee thereafter makes recommendations to the County Council at its meeting in February 2010 as to the appointment of Independent Members of Standards Committee and the IRP.

CORPORATE OR LEGAL INFORMATION:

Links to the Corporate Strategy

Hampshire safer and more secure for all:

yes/no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Maximising well-being:

yes/no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

Enhancing our quality of place:

yes/no

Corporate Business plan link number (if appropriate):

OR

This proposal does not link to the Corporate Strategy but, nevertheless, requires a decision because:

It is a legal requirement for the County Council to make arrangements in respect of the appointment of independent members to its Standards Committee and Independent Remuneration Panel.

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 published works and any documents which disclose exempt or confidential information as defined in the Act.)

 

Document

Location

None

  

IMPACT ASSESSMENTS:

1) Equalities Impact Assessment:

    Equality objectives are not considered to be adversely affected by the proposals within this report.

2) Impact on Crime and Disorder:

    The proposals in this report are not considered to have any direct impact on the prevention of crime.

3) Climate Change:

(a) How does what is being proposed impact on our carbon footprint / energy consumption ?

No specific changes

(b) How does what is being proposed consider the need to adapt to climate change, and be resilient to its longer term impacts?

    No specific proposals affecting adaptation to climate change.