Meeting documents
Standards Committee
Monday, 31st March 2008
Venue : Committee Room 1 - Wallasey Town Hall
Index to Agendas
Item 1 - DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Summary:
The members of the Committee are asked to consider whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any of the items on this agenda and, if so, to declare it and state the nature of such interest.
Item 2 - MINUTES
Summary:
The minutes of the previous meeting, held on 28 January, were accepted by the Council on 18 February.
Recommendation:
That the minutes be received
Item 3 - MATTERS ARISING
Summary:
To consider any matters arising out of the minutes that are not dealt with elsewhere on the agenda.
Item 4 - LOCAL GOVERNMENT OMBUDSMAN - REPORT ON COMPLAINT OF Mr C
Summary:
Further to the Committee's consideration of the Local Government Ombudsman’s report, where a finding of maladministration and injustice was made against the authority, this report, as requested, describes the outcome of a review of practices and procedures and an audit of emergency placements of children. As recommended by the Ombudsman, the report was submitted in the first instance to the Children's Services and Lifelong Learning Overview and Scrutiny Committee (on 18 March), which resolved -
" (1) That the report be noted and the draft 'Policy and Procedure regarding Children Living with Family and Friends as Carers' be endorsed.
(2) That, whilst the Committee is satisfied with the actions taken in response to the Ombudsman’s recommendations, officers of the Department are urged to take note of the concerns expressed by members.
(3) That the offer of a progress report to the next meeting be accepted and the Department's Complaints Officer be requested to attend to explain in more detail the process for handling complaints."
Recommendation:
The views of the Committee are requested.
Attachments: (click on an attachment to view it)
Item 5 - LOCAL ASSESSMENT OF COMPLAINTS
Summary:
The Acting Monitoring Officer and Proper Officer will report the latest position. As yet, the Council has had no indication from the Government of the date on which the new arrangements will come into operation, though many of the consultation responses suggested 1 May.
Note: the latest (February) Bulletin issued by the Standards Board is being circulated with this agenda.
Attachments: (click on an attachment to view it)
Item 6 - ANNUAL ASSEMBLY OF STANDARDS COMMITTEES
Summary:
The Committee is requested to consider representation at the seventh Annual Assembly of Standards Committees, which will be held in Birmingham on 13/14 October 2008.
Item 7 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Summary:
To consider any other business that the Chair accepts as being urgent.
Agenda Published: 19 March 2008