Agenda item

The External Auditor introduced the item to the Committee.

The Committee discussed the statutory recommendation as published in the Auditors Annual Report. Comments during the discussion included

·       The need for sanctions if the recommendations are to be implemented.

·       The White Paper on Standards that is to be debated in Parliament.

·       The role of Group Leaders in enforcing the principles of good governance and member behaviour within their groups. Group Leaders could also step out of the room with their group to allow for a pause when needed.

·       The range of available sanctions outlined in the report such as moving a motion that the offending member no longer be heard or as a last resort to move that they should leave the meeting.

·       Consideration of members questions including the option for the answerer to respond in writing

·       The role of the Standards Committee.

·       The need to address underlying behavioural issues.

The Committee also considered the separate Audit Findings Report and Disclaimer. It was noted that the disclaimer was partly the result of a disagreement between the Council and Grant Thornton on the funding of SANGs through capital or revenue. It was also noted that as a result of an objection by a member of public, there may be a delay in awarding the Audit Certificate. However, this would not affect the final deadline of the Audit Opinion. The objector had been verified and there was a third party that authorised any extra fees or spending resulting from the objector.

The Audit Manager would consolidate any ongoing action plans into one cohesive plan.

The Committee noted the Audit Findings Report and Audit Opinion Disclaimer.

It was proposed by Councillor Morgan and seconded by Councillor Nuttall that the Audit Scrutiny Committee recommends the statutory recommendation to Full Council for approval.

A vote was taken. The result was unanimously in favour.

RECOMMENDED

That Full Council approve the statutory recommendation in the Auditor’s Annual Report. The statutory recommendation is as follows:

The Council should:

1.     Commission a suitably qualified expert to investigate the underlying causes of member behaviours which contravene the standards set out in the Council's constitution under the members' code of conduct and the member/officer protocol; and which have impacted the Council's reputation and working culture. The Council should then develop an action plan to enable members and officers to address those issues.

2.     Adopt a consistent zero-tolerance approach to any swearing; lack of respect for other people attending meetings; or other abusive behaviour towards other members or officers in meetings. This should be done by making full use of the procedural rules set out in the Council's constitution by:  Immediately adjourning the meeting; moving  a motion that the member concerned be not heard; or moving a motion that the member concerned should leave the meeting.

3.     Consider amendments to its constitution to extend those procedural rules to all meetings of committees of the Council and amend the Member Code of Conduct to include an obligation for all members to reinforce standards of behaviour and to support the Chair of the Council and chairs of committees of the Council in their use of procedural rules to ensure proper conduct. Group Leaders should model good behaviour and discipline members of their groups whose behaviour breaches the Code of Conduct and the member/officer protocol.

4.     Continue to provide information and support to ensure that members and officers who are subjected to aggressive and abusive behaviour from individual members can, if they wish, submit a written complaint to the Monitoring Officer immediately, so that it can be dealt with under the Council's Standards procedures.

5.     Ensure that Group Leaders take responsibility for their members working collaboratively with officers and for their members improving behaviours and relationships.

6.     Review membership of the Standards Committee, with only members who have an excellent behavioural track record being eligible to join it.  Meetings should then resume. A Governance Committee should be introduced to reinforce the work of the Standards Committee. As with the Standards Committee, members on the Governance Committee must have an unblemished behavioural track record.

Securing good standards and behaviour amongst members will help to strengthen corporate governance and working culture. This in turn should help to create a positive environment from which the Council can build better relationships and address the other issues it faces, such as transacting business as usual and maintaining respect and co-operation around decisions once they have been taken.