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13 Oct 2008, Time:19:05
You are here: Wiltshire County Council > Home > Council and Democracy > Complaints - procedure > How to Complain About a Council Member > Standards Committee
Standards Committee
This Committee will comprise 3 members other than the Leader, and 6 voting co-optees. The Standards Committee will be responsible for:- promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by elected members, co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives and officers;
- assisting the elected and co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct;
- advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members’ Code of Conduct;
- monitoring and advising the Council about the operation of its Code of Conduct in the light of best practice, changes in the law, guidance from the Standards Board and recommendations of case tribunals under section 80 of the Local Government Act 2000;
- advising, training or arranging to train elected and co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives on matters relating to the Members’ Code of Conduct and ensuring that all members of the Council have access to training in all aspects of the Code of Conduct, that this training is actively promoted, and that members are aware of the standards expected from local Councillors under the Code;
- granting dispensations to elected and co-opted members and church and parent governor representatives from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members’ Code of Conduct;
- dealing with all matter relating to:
- the initial assessment of misconduct allegations under the Members’ Code of Conduct;
- any request to review a decision to take no action in relation to a misconduct allegation;
- any hearing to determine whether a member has breached the Code and where appropriate impose sanctions.
- overview of the whistle blowing policy;
- overview of complaints handling and Ombudsman investigations;
- forming Review Panels, comprising two independent members of the Standards Committee and a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to consider corporate complaints at Stage 3 of the corporate complaints procedure;
- reviewing the implementation of recommendations made by the Ombudsman and corporate complaints Review Panels following complaints made against the Council;
- making payments or providing other benefits in cases of maladministration;
- oversight of the Constitution.
