8 December 2006
Eastbourne Borough Council is currently recruiting for an independent representative to its Standards Committee as part of its ongoing drive to maintain and promote high standards of member conduct.
The Standards Committee was set up by the Local Government Act, 2000 in order to ensure high standards of conduct by elected and co-opted Members of the Council.
The Committee has a number of functions, which include:-
Ensuring that the National Code of Conduct is effective, promoting training and keeping people up to date and proposing local codes to supplement the National Code.
Eastbourne Borough Council's Standards Committee is composed of four local councillors and two independent members. The Standards Committee meets at least four times a year. The Committee may have to consider allegations that a local Councillor has breached the Code of Conduct, and make a decision on the issue.
There are strict rules requiring the independent members to be independent of any political party and of Local Government. To safeguard the integrity and independence of the Standards Committee, the appointee must be equipped to maintain high standards of impartiality. Experience of Committee work and an interest in probity and ethical issues are highly desirable.
Application packs are available from Member Services at Eastbourne Borough Council while the Solicitor to the Council and Monitoring Officer is happy to discuss the role informally with potential applicants.
An allowance is payable to the successful applicant, who may be required to Chair the Standards Committee.
The closing date for applications is Monday, 8th January, 2007. It is proposed that interviews will take place on Tuesday, 16th January, 2007.
Leader of Eastbourne Borough Council Councillor Ian Lucas says, “Independent members perform an important role on the Council’s Standards Committee in ensuring the Council maintains high standards. I hope that members of the public are able to put themselves forward for this position. The Council is extremely grateful to the present two Independent Members and the contribution that they have made since the Committee was formed only a few years ago.”
