The Standards Committee operates to guide the East Riding of Yorkshire Council, and town and parish councils within the East Riding area, on the promotion of high standards of conduct by members.
The main functions of the Standards Committee are to:
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consider complaints that the conduct of a councillor* has failed to comply with the code of conduct adopted by their council and to determine whether or not those complaints should be investigated;
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make arrangements under which members’ conduct can be investigated;
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make arrangements under which decisions on allegations about members’ conduct can be made, following the completion of an investigation.
* Reference to councillor includes members of town and parish councils.
The Standards Committee, in conjunction with the Monitoring Officer, will provide advice and training for members of East Riding of Yorkshire Council and town and parish councils within the East Riding area.
A Hearing Committee will be arranged to determine complaints that have been referred for investigation where it is considered that a breach of the code of conduct has been established.
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In accordance with the Localism Act 2011, East Riding of Yorkshire Council has appointed one independent person (Ms Sharon Mays) and one reserve independent person (Ms Gwen Lunn).
The independent person must be consulted before the Standards Committee or Hearing Committee makes a decision on a complaint that has been investigated.
The independent person will be in attendance at meetings of the Standards Committee or Hearing Committee when a decision is to be made on a complaint that has been investigated.
The independent person is not a member of the Standards Committee and does not have voting rights.
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Standards Committee
Membership of the Standards Committee is as follows:
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Six East Riding of Yorkshire Council members (voting): Councillors Fraser, Hardy, Jefferson, O'Neil, Turner and West
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Three independent members (non-voting): Captain James Davies, Ms Catherine Shannon and Mrs Margaret Stevenson
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Three parish council representatives (non-voting): Mrs C Burton, Mrs E Hunter and Mr S King
Hearing Committee
Membership of the Hearing Committee is selected on a meeting by meeting basis as follows:
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Three East Riding of Yorkshire Council members of the Standards Committee (voting)
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One of the independent members of the Standards Committee (non-voting)
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One of the parish council representatives on the Standards Committee (non-voting)
Top of page The chairmanship is rotated around the East Riding of Yorkshire Council members.
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Meetings of the Standards Committee take place on the following dates:
Standards Committee meetings
| Date | Time | Venue |
| 26 March 2013 | 10.00am | County Hall, Beverley |
| 23 July 2013 | 10.00am | County Hall, Beverley |
| 3 September 2013 | 10.00am | County Hall, Beverley |
| 26 November 2013 | 10.00am | County Hall, Beverley |
| 21 January 2014 | 10.00am | County Hall, Beverley |
| 4 March 2014 | 10.00am | County Hall, Beverley |
Standards Hearing Committee meetings are arranged as and when required.
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Yes. Meetings are open to the public but there may be some matters which will be considered in private. During such situations members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting at this point. The circumstances under which we can consider matters in private are tightly controlled by law.
Top of page No. Members of the public are not permitted to ask questions at Standards Committee and Hearing Committee meetings.
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Agendas and reports for the Standards Committee are placed on public deposit five clear working days before each meeting and can be viewed by selecting the relevant agenda below.
Agendas and reports for the Hearing Committee are placed on public deposit 14 days before each meeting and can be viewed by selecting the relevant agenda below.
Reports containing exempt or confidential matters will not, however, be available.
Minutes of Standards Committee and Hearing Committee meetings are placed on public deposit no later than five clear working days after each meeting and can be viewed by selecting the relevant minute below.
Please note: agendas and minutes of meetings prior to those available online may be obtained by contacting the Senior Committee Manager, Jon Whyley:
Email: jon.whyley@eastriding.gov.uk
Telephone: (01482) 393207
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Democratic Services
County Hall
Beverley
HU17 9BA
Please note: that there may be a charge for copying any information.
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Recent annual reports of the Standards Committee can be viewed below:
Annual Report 2009/10 (pdf 170kb opens in new window)
Annual Report 2008/09 (pdf 288kb opens in new window)
Annual Report 2007/08 (pdf 409kb opens in new window)
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The Localism Act 2011 requires all councils (including town and parish councils) to adopt a code of conduct which sets out the behaviour expected of councillors when acting in their role as a councillor.
A new code of conduct was adopted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council on 4 April 2012, which became applicable from 1 July 2012. The Council considered and adopted a redrafted version at its meeting on 25 July 2012 following the issue of Regulations by the Secretary of State.
Town and parish councils have the option to adopt East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s code of conduct. Some town and parish councils have chosen to do this, some have chosen to adopt their own code. Copies of your town or parish council's code of conduct can be obtained by contacting the clerk to the town or parish council.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council's code of conduct can viewed below:
East Riding of Yorkshire Council code of conduct (pdf 73kb opens in new window)
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You can report a complaint against a councillor or member of a committee online (opens in new window).
Alternatively you can send your complaint by the following means:
Email: standards@eastriding.gov.uk
In writing to:
The Monitoring Officer
Head of Legal and Democratic Services
East Riding of Yorkshire Council
County Hall
Cross Street
Beverley
East Riding of Yorkshire
HU17 9BA
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