Agenda and minutes
Venue: MP701, 7th Floor, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London E14 2BG
Contact: Elizabeth Dowuona, Democratic Services Tel: 020 7364 4207 E-mail: elizabeth.dowuona@towerhamlets.gov.uk
No. | Item |
---|---|
WELCOME The Chair extended a warm welcome to all in attendance. He introduced Mr Daniel McLaughlin, who was in attendance to the Standards Advisory Committee for the first time. Mr McLaughlin’s appointment as a co-opted member of the Standards Advisory Committee for a term of office until February 2019, was confirmed by Full Council meeting on 25th February 2015. Mr McLaughlin spoke briefly about his career and the expertise he hoped to bring to the Committee. The Committee noted Mr McLaughlin’s extensive professional experience in the field of fraud, corruption and compliance in the business services sector both in the UK and overseas. He also had experience of working in local authority, a lifelong resident and former long-term school governor in Tower Hamlets.
The Chair welcomed Mr McLaughlin on the Advisory Committee and his expertise in relation to the priority expert needs of the Advisory Committee.
|
|
APOLOGIES Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Candia Ronald |
|
DECLARATIONS OF DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTEREST PDF 64 KB To note any declarations of interest made by Members, including those restricting Members from voting on the questions detailed in Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act, 1992. See attached note from the Interim Monitoring Officer. Minutes: There were no declarations of interest. |
|
MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING PDF 102 KB To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting of the Standards (Advisory) Committee held on 14 July 2015.
Minutes: That the minutes of the meeting held on 14th July 2015 be approved as a correct record of proceedings subject to a minor correction to Daniel McLaughlin’s name (Mc be inserted before Laughlin).
|
|
REPORTS FOR CONSIDERATION |
|
Annual Report of Investigations Under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) PDF 94 KB To consider an update on the Council’s use of its powers and other activities under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
Minutes: Janet Grant (Enforcement & Litigation, Legal Services) introduced the Annual Report of Investigations Under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA). The report outlined the Council’s use of covert investigations under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (“RIPA”).
Janet Grant briefly explained that there were circumstances in the discharge of its statutory functions in which it was necessary for the Council to conduct directed surveillance or use a covert human intelligence source for the purpose of preventing crime or disorder.
It was noted that Legal Services had received two requests in the 2015/16 Municipal year for authorisations to carry out directed surveillance or to use covert human intelligence sources (authorisations under Part 2 of RIPA). These requested were being processed albeit one was at an early stage.
It was also noted that both the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (“RIPA”) and the Council’s Enforcement Policy was being amended due to changes in legislation. A report was due to be submitted to Cabinet on 5th January 2016 as part of a Review of the Council’s Enforcement Policy.
The annual RIPA report indicated that the Committee would be updated in due course on any enforcement action taken following the single authorisation granted in 2014/2015. However, those matters had not yet reached a point where a report could be submitted.
The annual report also indicated that training needed to be arranged. This was however yet to be put in place due to difficulties with the previous supplier and the need for alternative arrangements.
Members asked a number of questions and made various comments relating to priorities for the use of RIPA as specified in the Council’s enforcement policies, lack of training in 2014/15, comparative analysis of annual returns;
The following points were noted:
· That the aforesaid forthcoming review would include the priorities for using RIPA, as specified in its policies, namely –
· Anti-social behaviour · Fly-tipping · Unlawful street vending of DVDs and tobacco · Underage sales of knives, tobacco, alcohol and fireworks · Fraud, including misuse of disabled parking badges and claims for housing benefit · Illegal money-lending and related offending · Breach of licences · Touting.
· That a bespoke training session had been organised for Members on the RIPA Act 2000 during the year, however, it did not go ahead due to the non-attendance of the approved course provider.
Members underlined the need for enforcement officers to ensure that the appropriate training was provided to both Members and officers on the Council’s enforcement policy to ensure that there was targeted enforcement action towards perceived problems, that enforcement action that was inconsistent with the Council's objectives was discourages and ensure that enforcement action was necessary and proportionate.
· That comparative analysis was necessary to over a period of time identify areas for action. The Chair also saw merit in collating benchmarking information on the use of use of RIPA to feed into a future review of the Council’s enforcement policy and considered that it would assist the Committee for officers to undertake such an ... view the full minutes text for item 3.1 |
|
Annual Report of the Independent Person to the Council PDF 74 KB To note the Annual Report of the Independent Person to the Council.
Minutes: Mrs Elizabeth Hall presented the Annual Report of the Independent Person to the Council for 2015/16. The report set out the role of the Independent Person and her appointment to the Council in accordance with the provisions of the Localism Act 2011.
It was noted that the Annual Report would be considered by the Full Council on 16th September 2015 and that it was being submitted to the Standards Advisory Committee ahead of that meeting for information.
Council, on 26 June 2013, approved the following appointments of the Independent Person, Ms Elizabeth Hall and Reserve Independent Person Ms Ezra Zahabi, each for a three-year term starting on 1 July 2013. Mrs Elizabeth Hall outlined her duties as the Independent Person which included the following:
- To be available for consultation if an allegation of breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct is received by the Council; - Liaise as necessary with the Council’s Monitoring Officer to consider complaints against Members and offer his/her impartial views on the case, including any investigations undertaken; - Advise the Council prior to any decision to investigate an allegation or complaint relating to whether a Member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct; - Attend meeting of the Standards Advisory Committee and/or its sub-committees as required; - Contribute to any review of the operation of the standards arrangements and complaints procedure established by the Council under the provisions of the Localism Act 2011; - Be consulted by the Council’s Monitoring Officer in respect of an allegation against a Member in other circumstances; - Be consulted by a Member or Co-opted Member of the Council against whom an allegation or complaint had been made. - The views of the Independent Person would be considered by the Standards Advisory Committee, the body responsible for recommending on the outcome of any complaints and any remedial action.
RESOLVED -
That the report be noted.
|
|
ANY OTHER BUSINESS WHICH THE CHAIR CONSIDERS URGENT To consider any other unrestricted business that the Chair considers to be urgent.
Minutes: (i) New Members on the Standards Advisory Committee
The Chair requested that officers arrange an induction training for Mr Daniel McLaughlin, newly co-opted Member of the Advisory Committee and the replacement member for Councillor Md Mufti Miah given the change in the political ratio of the Committee as a result of Councillor Md Mufti Miah’s current membership on the Council as an Independent Member).
(ii) Actions requested at the last meeting of the Advisory Committee on 14th July 2015
Item 6.4 Code of Conduct for Members - Revised Code and Complaint Handling Arrangements
· That persistent inappropriate behaviour or use of language which constituted breaches of the Members code of conduct should attract public sanctions.
Letter had been sent out by Meic Sullivan-Gould, Interim Monitoring Officer to all Members;
· That induction should be mandatory to all new Councillors including annual training for Councillors on quasi-judiciary bodies.
Training was held on 14 July 2015 attended by Councillors……(Mark could you provide names of attendants please).
· That political groups could assist their Members by offering guidance in adhering to the Council’s code of conduct, probity and the practical demonstration of life Standards in Public Life’s Seven Principles (January 2013) and the principle that Elected Persons should comply with the same standards of behaviour that they require of the staff that they employ.
Item 6.5 Members' Attendance, Timesheets and Declaration of Interests : Monitoring Report
· That the Chair write to those Councillors who were not more than three months in arrears with their timesheets, drawing their attention to the importance of timely completion;
Action Completed
Two letters signed by the Chair were sent out on 28 August 2015 by the Service Head Democratic Services. The first was to the twelve councillors most in arrears with their timesheets - sent to Councillors Suluk Ahmed, Mahbub Alam, Shah Alam, Craig Aston, Chris Chapman, Julia Dockerill, David Edgar, Peter Golds, Abjol Miah, Md. Maium Miah, Md. Ansar Mustaquim and Andrew Wood.
· That the Chair and Independent Person on the Standards Advisory Committee meet political group Leaders to discuss the timesheet process and report back on any issues raised.
Action Completed
Chair met with Councillor Peter Golds – (Designated to lead on issues on Probity & Governance). Discussed issue of Conservative Group Members completing time sheets. No response had been received as at the time of this meeting.
· Second letter sent to political group leaders, inviting them to discuss the timesheet process with Chair and Independent Person on the Standards Advisory Committee.
· Chair met with Councillor Peter Golds – (Designated to lead on issues on Probity & Governance). Discussed issue of Conservative Group Members completing time sheets and explored the possibility of Agenda Items on Overview & Scrutiny might have implications for the Standards Advisory Committee in terms of probity.
· It was agreed that the Advisory Committee receive further monitoring reports at six monthly intervals.
Action Completed
Next monitoring report due in January 2016.
|