Further to minute (21/6/2010) the Chair submitted his paper setting out a number of issues for discussion with a view to improving the effectiveness of this committee in promoting standards and higher values as an integral part of all council activities.

Resolved - That the report be noted.

Further to minute 3 (21/6/2010) the Chair asked if there was any response from the political groups on his discussion paper.

Resolved – That this matter be deferred until the next meeting of this committee to allow a response from the political groups.

(a) Chair’s Discussion Paper – response from the political groups.

(b)  Use of Recording Media at Meetings and in Council Meetings – report back from the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management

(a)  Further to minute 24 (29 March 2010), the Chair commented that responses had been sought from the political groups in relation to a discussion paper that he had circulated on 25 January 2010 (minute 20 refers), following his attendance at the Annual Assembly of Standards Committees. Members expressed the view that this matter should be deferred to the next meeting, in order that it may be considered in the light of Code of Conduct training soon to be given to all Members of the Council.

(b)  Further to minute 28 (29 March 2010), the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management apologised to Members for not having presented to the Committee, information upon the results of enquiries with other local authorities in relation to the use of recording media at meetings and in Council meetings. He proposed to present a detailed report to the next meeting of the Committee.

Resolved –

(1)  That consideration of the views of Members and responses of the political groups to the discussion paper previously circulated by the Chair be deferred to the next meeting of the Committee.

(2)  That the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management be requested to present a report to the next meeting of the Committee upon the results of enquiries with other local authorities in relation to the use of recording media at meetings and in Council meetings.

To receive the views of the political groups on the Chair’s discussion paper which was circulated at the last meeting.

Further to minute 20 (25/1/2010) the Chair asked if there was any response from the political groups on his discussion paper.

Resolved - That this matter be deferred until the June meeting of this committee  to allow further discussion within the political groups.

The Chair has identified a number of issues for further discussion following his attendance at the Annual Assembly of Standards Committees.

The Chair and Vice-Chair referred to their attendance at the Annual Assembly of Standards Committees and presented a paper identifying a number of issues for further discussion.

There was a general discussion during which members identified a number of follow up actions for the Director of Law, HR and Asset Management

-  enquiries with the Standards Board and Merseytravel  regarding their reports on the proceedings of the Annual Assembly of Standards Committees.

-  copies of the Code of Conduct booklet for circulation to all members of the Council

-  the need for further standards training sessions

-  the procedure for adoption of the revised Code of Conduct in 2010

Resolved – That members be requested to seek the views of their respective political groups on the discussion paper and report back to the next meeting.