Councillor Mrs T Dean advised that she would take no part in the consideration of Item 5, which was a matter submitted for information, as she had a personal interest in a number of the cases referred to in the update on the Code of Conduct Complaints.  Councillor D Davis stated that he would take no part in the same Item as he was personally involved in one of the cases. 

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 12 June 2019

RESOLVED:  That the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 12 June 2019 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The report provides an update on progress in implementing best practice recommendations set out in the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life following its review of local government standards.

The report of the Monitoring Officer provided an update on progress with the implementation of recommendations published in the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life (CSPL) which had been presented to the meeting of the Joint Standards Committee held on 12 June 2019 (Minute ST 19/4 refers). 

The Committee was reminded that the CSPL had identified a number of best practice recommendations for local authorities to consider in order to improve ethical standards. The report set out details of the current position within Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council which would be used to demonstrate progress with the implementation of the best practice recommendations when reviewed by the CSPL.

RESOLVED:  That

(1)  the content of the report be noted; and

(2)  the proposed update on the best practice recommendations, intended to be provided to the CSPL, be approved.   

The report provides an update on complaints made to the Monitoring Officer that a Member may have failed to comply with his/her authority’s Code of Conduct

The report of the Monitoring Officer provided an update on 19 complaints received since 1 April 2020.  He reminded the Committee that, as previously agreed, personal details of the Complainants or Subject Members were not published unless a complaint led to investigation and public hearing before the Hearing Panel.   

RESOLVED:  That the report be received and noted.

The Chairman to move that the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the meeting during consideration of any items the publication of which would disclose exempt information.

There were no items considered in private.