Council considered the recommendation of the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee on the appointment of Independent Persons 2019–2023.
Resolved:
1. That the Monitoring Officer (Michael Graham) be authorised to establish a Joint Appointments Panel with participating Surrey councils’ monitoring officers so that the Panel may:
(a) advertise for, short-list, and interview candidates and
(b) make recommendations to the respective councils for the appointment of Independent Persons under Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011, for a four-year term of office expiring in May 2023;
2. That the Independent Persons appointed by this Council be entitled to receive the same level of travelling expenses as are provided for councillors under the Scheme of Allowances for Councillors; and
3. That the Monitoring Officer be authorised to withdraw from joint arrangements in the event that we are not content with the process or proposed appointments, and make separate arrangements for Spelthorne Borough Council to appoint its Independent Persons.