Localism Bill
Memorandum submitted by Kathleen English (L 109)
Summary:
Re abolition of Standards Board Regime, to express concern that where local authorities choose to have a Standards Committee, lay members will no longer have voting rights
1. I write as some-one who has been an independent (i.e. lay) member and chairman of a District Council Standards Committee.
2. I am concerned that, while the Localism Bill permits Councils to establish/maintain Standards Committees, it repeals the parts of the Local Government Act 2000 which gave voting powers to co-opted (lay)members of Standards Committees.
3. It is my experience that much of the public’s confidence in decisions made by a Standards Committee arises from the inclusion of non-Councillors in that committee.
4. Moreover, better decisions on matters of a disciplinary nature are made by bodies which include lay members, who can bring a fresh eye to the situation. Consequently the disciplinary committees of most professions include such lay members.
5. Lay members without voting rights will be of little effect.
February 2011
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