Decision details

4.1     The Committee considered a report by the Director of Law and Assurance (copy appended to signed minutes) which set out proposed revisions to the Constitution.

4.2     The report was introduced by Charles Gauntlett, Senior Advisor, Democratic Services. He advised that the Constitution was undergoing a thorough revision to make it clearer and to reduce duplication. The Codes of Conduct had been reviewed and several pieces of advice currently held outside the Codes of Conduct would be put into it so that it was all in one place. It was also proposed to take several corporate and HR policies out of the Constitution altogether, to be held elsewhere.

4.3     The Committee welcomed the proposed changes but hoped that officers would be mindful of the rules of the Constitution, particularly the Member and Officer Relations Protocol. Mr Gauntlett confirmed that these rules would be publicised after the changes to the Constitution were confirmed and that key points were raised at every staff induction meeting.

4.4     Resolved –

(1)     That the proposed revisions to the Code of Conduct included in Part 5 sections 1 and 2 be supported for submission to the County Council for approval.

(2)     That the proposed removal of Part 5 sections 8-13 and the proposed removal of the corporate advice notes be supported for submission to the County Council for approval.

(3)     That authority be delegated to the Director of Human Resources to make and amend future policies relating to staff conduct in consultation with the Director of Law and Assurance.