Issue - meetings

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.

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer on arrangements for appointing Independent Persons from 2019-2023 and make a recommendation to Council.

The Committee considered a report seeking approval to enter into joint arrangements with six other Surrey local authorities for the appointment of the Council’s Independent Persons for the period 2019 to 2023.

The following councils had expressed a wish to participate with Spelthorne in the Joint Appointments Panel:

·                     Epsom & Ewell

·                     Guildford

·                     Mole Valley

·                     Reigate & Banstead

·                     Surrey Heath

·                     Waverley

The proposed arrangements would enable the Council to comply with its obligations under the Localism Act 2011 in respect of ethical standards and The Local Authorities (Standing Orders) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2015 in respect of dismissal and disciplinary arrangements for statutory officers.

Resolved to recommend Council:

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.