Issue - meetings

Consideration of recommendation ST 23/4 of the Joint Standards Committee of 12 July 2023

Consideration was given to the recommendations of the Joint Standards Committee of 12 July 2023 in respect of revisions to existing arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints.  Due regard had been given to the legal implications, risk and equality impact assessments arising from the changes.

RESOLVED:  That the revised arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints under the Localism Act 2011 (attached at Annex 1) be adopted. 

This report invites Members to consider revisions to the existing arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints.

Following Council’s approval of the changes to the Borough Council’s adopted Code of Conduct on 27 April 2022 in light of revisions to the Model Code of Conduct produced by the Local Government Association, the report outlined the suggested changes to the Borough Council’s adopted arrangements, which set out the process for handling complaints against Borough/ Parish/ Town Councillors under the Kent Code, and sought Members’ approval to recommend them to Council for adoption.

The revised Arrangements were set out at Annex 1 and the principal changes were summarised at 1.2.1 of the report.  It was noted that the Borough Council was not obliged to accept the changes proposed by Kent Secretaries.

Members welcomed the proposed revisions to the existing arrangements for dealing with Code of Conduct complaints and had due regard to the legal implications, risk assessment and equality impact assessment arising from these changes.

RECOMMENDED*:  That

(1)        the revised Arrangements for Dealing with Code of Conduct Complaints under the Localism Act 2011, attached at Annex 1, be adopted.

*Referred to Council