Committee details
Standards Committee
Purpose of committee
The main role of the Standards Committee is to promote and maintain high standards of conduct and to consider any complaints where there is an allegation that a district, town or parish councillor may have breached their organisation’s Code of Conduct. The Standards Committee is made up of six district councillors as well as two co-opted non-voting parish councillors.
The Committee is supported by the Monitoring Officer and two Independent Persons. An Independent Person is a person appointed by the Council who will be consulted before any decision is made to investigate an allegation against any member of the Council. The Independent Person may be consulted directly, either by the person who has made the complaint, or the person the complaint has been made about. The Council has therefore appointed two Independent Persons to ensure that a conflict situation does not arise i.e. once they have been consulted they will not be involved in the decision making process
Advisory Panel
The Advisory Panel is responsible for considering a complaint where there is evidence that a breach may have occurred. The Advisory Panel reports its findings to the Standards Committee.
Contact: Democratic Services Team
Further information links:
Standards Committee Annual Report 2013/14
Making a complaint against a District or Parish Councillor
West Berkshire Councillors’ Code of Conduct (see Appendix H)
Part 7 Constitution - Regulatory and Other Committees
Openness and Transparency on Personal Interests – Guidance for Councillors
Membership
- Chris Bridges
- Barry Dickens
Contact information
Support officer: Moira Fraser / Jo Reeves.
Postal address:
Strategic Support
Council Offices
Market Street
Newbury
RG14 5LD
Phone: (01635) 519045 / 519486
Fax: (01635) 519317
Email: mfraser@westberks.gov.uk / jreeves@westberks.gov.uk