Standards Committee

The Standards Committee has the following terms of reference:

(a) to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor Representatives;

(b) to assist Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor Representatives to observe the Members' Code of Conduct;

(c) to receive, assess and refer complaints that a Councillor, Co-opted Member, Church or Parent Governor Representative have failed to comply with the Council's Code of Conduct under local assessment arrangements through it's Sub-Committees;

(d) to appoint a Hearing Sub-Committee where it has been agreed by a Sub-Committee one is required;

(e) advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members' Code of Conduct and Members' Allowance Scheme;

(f) monitoring the operation of the Members' Code of Conduct and Members' Allowance Scheme;

(g) advising, training and arranging to train Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor Representatives on matters relating to the Members' Code of Conduct;

(h) granting dispensations to Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor Representatives from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members' Code of Conduct;

(i) advising the Council generally on the revision of the Constitution and particularly the Officers' Code of Conduct and the Protocol on Member/Officer Relationships;

(j) maintaining oversight of the Council's Whistle Blowing policy;

(k) mainitaining oversight of the Council's Complaints and Compliments procedure;

(l) maintaining oversight of the Local Code of Corporate Governance.

The Standards Committee has the following additional terms of reference:-

(a) to liaise between the Council and the Ombudsman;

(b) to advise the Council on the conferment of the title of Honorary Alderman or Freedom of the City;

(c) to advise the Council on the making, amendment, revocation or re-enactment of byelaws and promotion of or opposition to local or personal bills in Parliament.

The Standards Committee has appointed an Assessment Sub-Committee, Review Sub-Commitee and Hearings Sub-Committee from within it's membership to deal with allegations that a Member of the Authority has failed, or may have failed, to comply with the Authority's Code of Conduct.

Meetings

Dates, times and venues of Standards Committtee and Sub-Committee meetings can be found in the decision making section.

Agendas, minutes and reports

Agendas, minutes and reports from the Standards Committee and Sub-Committees are available in the decision making section.

Membership

Membership and political balance of the Standards Committee can be found in the decision making section.

Further information

Democratic Support Officer

Linda Banbury

Phone: (01902) 555040

E-mail: linda.banbury@wolverhampton.gov.uk