Appointment of Independent Members of the Standards Committee

Report: 6 (AGM)
Date: 29 June 2006
By: Chief Executive and Clerk

Summary

Interviews have been held to appoint the two independent members of the Authority’s Standards Committee. This report seeks confirmation of these appointments.

A. Recommendation

That Stephanie Caplan and Anne Dickens be appointed as the independent members of the Standards Committee for a term of four years from the date of this meeting.

B. Supporting information

1. Each public authority is required by law to have a Standards Committee as part of the ethical framework aimed at emphasising the need for elected or appointed members of these authorities to carry out their public duties with the highest degree of integrity.

2. By law, at least 25% of the membership of these committees must consist of people who are not members of that authority. The MPA Standards Committee comprises six members – Aneeta Prem (Chair), Damian Hockney, Bob Neill, John Roberts and two members independent of the Authority.

3. To recruit the independent members, advertisements were placed jointly with the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority to share costs. The MPA received 33 applications. Three MPA members of the Standards Committee short listed and interviewed seven candidates in May.

4. All seven candidates could have brought particular skills and experience to the role but the two candidates recommended by the panel are:

• Stephanie Caplan, who is a senior lecturer in law and is currently one of the Standards Committee Independent Members.
• Anne Dickens, who is a self-employed Human Resources Consultant.

5. By law, the appointment decision must be taken by the Authority and members are therefore asked to ratify the appointment panel’s decisions.

C. Race and equality impact

None.

D. Financial implications

The independent members of the Standards Committee are eligible to claim an allowance (£147 for a full day and £73 for a half day) under the Authority’s Members’ Allowances Scheme.

E. Background papers

None

F. Contact details

Report author: Simon Vile, Head of Secretariat, MPA

For more information contact:

MPA general: 020 7202 0202
Media enquiries: 020 7202 0217/18

Appendix 1

Standards Committee terms of reference

1. To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members of the Authority.
2. To advise the Authority on the adoption or revision of its code of conduct.
3. To monitor the operation of the Authority’s code of conduct.
4. To assist Members in observing the code of conduct, including arrangements for training on matters relating to the code of conduct.
5. To advise the Authority on liaison arrangements with the Standards Board for England and to consider reports from the Standards Board or the Monitoring Officer as appropriate on any investigations into allegations of member misconduct.
6. To deal with any reports from a case tribunal and any report from the Monitoring Officer on any matter referred by an Ethical Standards Officer to the Monitoring Officer. This will include exercising the statutory powers given to standards committees to determine appropriate cases of alleged misconduct and to decide on a penalty in such cases as are found to be proven.
7. In accordance with any statutory requirements, to monitor and advise the Authority on compliance with the requirements for registration of interests and registers of gifts and hospitality.
8. To consider and determine requests to grant a member a dispensation in the following circumstances:
   1. The transaction of business of the Authority would, on each occasion on which the dispensation would apply, otherwise be impeded by, or as a result of, the mandatory provisions because –
      1. The number of members of the Authority that are prohibited from participating in the business of the Authority exceeds 50% of those members that are entitled or required to so participate; or
      2. The Authority is not able to comply with any duty which applies to it under section 15 (4) of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989;
   2. The member has submitted to the Standards Committee a written request for a dispensation explaining why it is desirable;
   3. Unless the Committee has specified a shorter duration, any dispensation so granted shall lapse after four years.
9. To have due regard, in exercising the committee’s responsibilities, to equal opportunities generally, the general duty of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 and the requirements of any other equalities legislation.

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