Agenda and minutes

          The minutes of the meeting held on 9^th September 2009, having been printed and circulated, were signed as a correct record. The Committee thanked officers for including a copy of the minutes as part of the agenda.

          The Committee watched the new training DVD issued by the Standards Board for England entitled “Assessment made clear”, to help Standards Committee members assess complaints about elected or co-opted members.

          RESOLVED: That the DVD be made available to those Members not present.

          The Committee received a report of the Strategic Director, Corporate and Policy which brought Members up to date on the latest news from the Standards Board. Since the last meeting of the Committee the Standards Board had released Bulletin 45 which was appended to the report for information.

          It was noted that the revised Code of Conduct for Members would be ready in late Autumn 2009. A further report on the revised Code of Conduct for Members would be brought to the Committee in due course.

          RESOLVED: That the report be noted.

          The Committee’s Action List was attached for consideration and amendment as necessary. It was agreed that item 2 Develop mind mapping sessions be deleted from the list.

          RESOLVED: That Item 2 Develop mind mapping sessions be deleted from the list.

Councillor Mike Wharton and Mark Reaney, Operational Director and Monitoring Officer, will provide a verbal report on this item.

            The Committee considered a verbal report of the Operational Director –Legal, Organisational Development and Human Resource regarding the Standards Board for England Annual Assembly, which had been attended by Councillor Wharton, the Operational Director Legal, Organisational Development and Human Resources and Mr Garner in his capacity as Independent Member of Cheshire Fire Authority’s Standards Committee.

            It was reported that those attending the assembly had attended sessions on investigating complaints, local assessment, other action, and predetermination and bias. The future of the Standard Board for England was also discussed.

            RESOLVED: That the report be noted.