Apologies were received from Cllr Martin Whelton, Cllr Caroline Charles attended as substitute. Apologies were also received from Independent Person, Mr Clive Douglas.

There were no declarations of interest.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21 July 2022 were agreed as a correct record, subject to clarification that the fees mentioned in item 4 were correct. (Post meeting note: the figure of £192,000 for council fees and £26,000 for the pension were the full and final fees invoiced)

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report, noting that one of the Independent Persons’ Katy Willison had completed her term of three years. Following agreement from Ms Willison to complete a further term of three years (the maximum permitted) officers had not sought an alternative. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that the tenure of the second Independent Person was not in sync with this one and had previously also agreed to a second term of three years.

RESOLVED:  

That Standards and General Purposes Committee recommended to Council to appoint Katy Willison for a further three year period as an Independent Person for the purposes of Chapter 7 of the Localism Act. The Independent Person will be invited to attend meetings of the Standards and General Purposes Committee in that capacity.

And that the appointment is made for a period of three years from 6 February 2023

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report and in response to comments from members clarified that the Independent Person is consulted if the Monitoring Officer decides that an investigation is necessary.

RESOLVED:

That the Committee noted the number and types of complaint received by the Monitoring Officer over the past two years

The Committee clarified that the 20/21 Annual Complaints report would be received at the November meeting, and the 21/22 report in June

RESOLVED:  that the Work Programme was noted and agreed as amended.