Standards Committee - Appointment of additional independent member
Do you expect high standards of behaviour from your local elected representatives? Can you make a positive contribution to enhancing standards of behaviour? Are you able to work with others to assess information presented in hearings in a fair manner?
Do you expect high standards of behaviour from your local elected representatives? Can you make a positive contribution to enhancing standards of behaviour? Are you able to work with others to assess information presented in hearings in a fair manner?
In accordance with the Local Government Act 2000, Lancaster City Council has established a Standards Committee, which is being increased in size to comprise seven councillors, four parish councillors and four independent members, one of whom is the chairman of the committee. The functions of the committee include promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by members of the council, advising the council on its Code of Conduct and considering complaints of alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct.
As a result of increasing the size of the committee, the city council now needs to appoint one additional independent member. Applications are now being sought from any person who is not and has not during the past five years been a city councillor, parish councillor, or council employee, and is not a relation or close friend of any councillor or council employee.
It is expected that the committee will meet at least four times per year, with additional sub-committee meetings as and when required. Appropriate training will be provided. The appointment will be on a voluntary basis until May 2011 initially. Travelling expenses will be payable in accordance with the council's Allowances Scheme.
Sarah Taylor, Lancaster City Council's monitoring officer, said: "The Standards Committee has a crucial role to play in terms of promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by members. It advises the council on its Code of Conduct, and from April 2008 is expected to be responsible for receiving and dealing with complaints of alleged breach of the code. This is therefore an opportunity for members of the public who believe they have the skills required to play their part in governing the standards of our elected members."
An application form, together with full details of the terms of reference of the Standards Committee, the type of person we are seeking and additional background information, is available from: Democratic Services, Town Hall, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PJ. Telephone 01524 582096, email democracy@lancaster.gov.uk or download a form from the Council's website www.lancaster.gov.uk. Application forms must be submitted to the city council's Democratic Services by 5pm on Thursday January 31 2008.
Date Updated: 19/03/09