The government are changing the system of dealing with complaints against councillors.
Up till now, the sanctions that could be taken against councillors found to have breached the code of conduct were pretty severe. For example , you could actually be suspended from being a councillor for a few months or even longer. Because of this , Standards Committees had to be chaired by a non-councillor, and only a minority of the committee would be actual district councillors.
Now, the rules are changing. Really serious matters will be dealt with by the police. But for ordinary breaches of the code of conduct you will no longer be able to be suspended. So the standards committee will soon be all district councillors – though there will still be a role for 3 ‘independent persons’ and the District Council is now advertising for them on their
website.
Three independent persons wanted for standards committee
The Localism Act 2011 confirmed the Council?s continuing duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the authority.
We are looking for three ?Independent Persons? to work with our Standards Committee to help to ensure high standards of conduct in the Council and among elected Councillors within the District.
If you think you have the qualities to take on this challenging role, we would like to hear from you.
You must be aged 18 or over and understand the Rochford District area and some of the issues facing it. You should be impartial, have a good standing in the community, and support the Council?s goals of being accountable, open, principled and committed to equal opportunities.
We are unable to consider anyone who is, or has been within the last five years, a member, co-opted member or officer of Rochford District Council or any of the Local (Town/Parish) Councils within the District, with the exception of existing independent members of the Standards Committee; or is a relative or close friend of a member, co-opted member or officer of Rochford District Council or any of the Local (Town/Parish) Councils within the District, with the exception of existing independent members of the Standards Committee. Preference will be given to applicants with experience and knowledge of the ethical framework and governance regime.
Independent Persons are entitled to a payment of ?425pa under the Council?s Scheme of Remuneration for Members.
To find out more, please call Albert Bugeja, Monitoring Officer, on 0 1702 318 130, or email him at albert.bugeja@rochford.gov.uk. You can also write to him at: Council Offices, South Street, Rochford, SS4 1BW.
You will be sent an information pack and application form, which you should complete and return by 25 June 2012.