The Chief Officer Legal, HR and Regulatory Services advised the Committee of an amendment to the size and membership of the Council’s Standards Committee and of proposals to appoint an Independent Member (co-opted) to the Committee. She explained that a meeting of the Standards Committee would only be quorate when at least three Members, including the Chairperson, were present; and at least half the Members present (including the Chairperson) were Independent Members. This placed an unduly heavy burden on the Independent Members, and the committee being in danger of not having adequate or required numbers (a quorum) for meetings. On 20 July 2022, Council approved that the membership of the Committee be increased to eight Members and an additional Independent Member (co-opted) be appointed to the Committee. It was proposed that the Monitoring Officer go through the usual process of advertising the vacancy in two newspapers circulating in the area and that a Panel (consisting of not more than five Members and at least one Independent Member and one Town and Community Council Member) be convened to consider applications and conduct interviews. Following interviews, the Panel would make a recommendation on the appointment to Council.

Members requested further information regarding the recent changes in relation to the 12 month time limit, the position with Town and Community Councillors and if one was appointed as an Independent Member, could they be appointed for a consecutive term. The Chief Officer Legal, HR and Regulatory Services agreed to pull together some guidance to be circulated before the position was advertised. When it was advertised, it would usually be sent to Town and Community Councils to circulate through their networks.

RESOLVED:   Committee noted the report. The Chief Officer Legal, HR and Regulatory Services agreed to circulate updated guidance in relation to Town and Community Councils and Terms of Office.