Councillor Conduct
The Standards Committee will investigate allegations
that Councillors have not behaved in an appropriate way. It is
responsible for promoting high ethical standards. Its work is
important to everyone who cares about the maintenance of an open
and honest system of local governance.
Personal and Prejudicial Interests
Whenever the Members' Code of Conduct is under discussion
inevitably questions will arise in relation to the twin issues of
personal and prejudicial interests. Please read out leaflet
The Model Code of
Conduct - An Explanatory Leaflet Relating to Personal and
Prejudicial Interests (PDF, 71KB) for more details on
this.
The Standards Committee
The
Standards Committee (PDF, 172KB).
1. Establishment of the Committee
Part III of the Local Government Act 2000 requires the Council
to establish a Standards Committee.
2. Composition
2.1. The Standards Committee will be composed of:
2.1.1. 8 Councillors
2.1.2. 5 Statutory Independent Members, who will be entitled to
vote at meetings, but who are not Councillors or officers of the
Council;
2.1.3. 3 Parish Members. At least one Parish Member must be
presentwhen matters relating to Parish Councils or their Members
are being considered;
2.2. A Member of the Cabinet may not chair the Standards
Committee.
3. Role and Functions
The Committee will be responsible for
- discharging the Council’s functions under Part III of the Local
Government Act 2000;
- considering and granting, or otherwise, dispensations in
respect of Members’ Interests when so enabled under Part III of the
Local Government Act 2000;
- promoting high standards of ethical behaviour by developing,
maintaining and monitoring codes of Conduct for Members of the
Council (including Co-opted Members and other persons acting in a
similar capacity) and for employees in accordance with best
practice and Government guidance;
- advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Codes
of Conduct for Members and Officers;
- ensuring that Members receive advice and training as
appropriate on the Members’ Code of Conduct;
- issuing advice to Members on the treatment of personal
interests and on conduct matters generally;
- ensuring that the Council maintains appropriate links with the
Standards Board for England and the Commission for Local
Administration in England (Ombudsman);
- referring issues, which impinge on staff conduct, performance,
terms of employment, training and development to the appropriate
and responsible Executive Member and/or Manager;
- promoting high standards of responsiveness by the Council to
its clients and contacts
(a) advising other persons/bodies on probity and ethics as
appropriate, particularly where that person or body is exercising
functions on behalf of the Council; and
(b) supporting the Council's statutory officers as appropriate or
their authorised deputies, in the performance of their duties.
4. Standards Sub-Committees
The Standards Committee has appointed three sub-committees to
deal with its local assessment and review functions. Further
details are set out in Part 3 of the Cheshire East Council
Constitution (PDF, 1.7MB).