Issue - meetings

The Head of Legal and Democratic Services submitted a report on consultation proposals by the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) to update the criteria that bars individuals from becoming or being a local councillor or directly-elected mayor.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services provided a summary of the report.

Councillor J Wyllie referred to the residency status mentioned within paragraph 8 (The Current Disqualification Criteria) as submitted, and queried the absence of European nationals within the list.  Councillor D Oldridge referred to the difficulties associated with undertaking residency checks. 

Councillor K Crofton stated that councillors should be temporarily suspended pending an allegation.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services reminded Members of the premise of “innocent until proven guilty”.  Councillor Wyllie suggested that it was for the political party to suspend a Member. 

In response to a query regarding lack of attendance at meetings, the Head of Legal and Democratic Services explained that non-attendance (over a period of time) did not mean an automatic disqualification as it depended on the Member’s circumstances.

Councillor K Crofton queried whether the disqualification criteria included unitary authorities.  The Head of Legal and Democratic Services undertook to clarify this.

The Committee noted the report and asked the Monitoring Officer to respond to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG consultation, in generic terms, taking on board Members’ comments as detailed, and following liaison with the Committee Chairman.

RESOLVED – that (A) the report be noted; and

(B)   the Monitoring Officer, on behalf of the Council, respond to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) consultation in generic terms, taking on board Members’ comments as detailed and following liaison with the Committee Chairman.