Announcements

Public Notice

NEW LAY MEMBERS SOUGHT FOR STANDARDS COMMITTEE

All Councils are expected to promote and maintain the highest standards of conduct and the search is now on for two members of the public who will help ensure that Swindon Borough Council is no exception.

The Council's Standards Committee advises on the adoption and revision of the Councillors' code of conduct and also monitors the operation of the Code. It approves other codes of conduct and behaviour which apply to Councillors, Council employees, contractors and any other parties or organisations associated with Council activity, ensures the effective operation of the Council's Customer Feedback policy in relation to standards of conduct and behaviour of staff, approves the Council's ant-fraud strategy and whistle-blowing procedures and also procedures associated with the appointment of an Indepenedent Remuneration panel for Councillors' allowances. The Committee also considers complaints against local councillors.

The Committee currently consists of nine Councillors, two local parish representatives, two Independent Persons (statutory posts established under the Localism Act 2011) and two members of the public (or lay members). The term of office of the lay members is for up to 2 years, with an option to extend for a further period of up to 2 years. The Lay Members of the Standards Committee do not have voting rights.

An annual allowance of £1,000 is available for the lay member position, and travel and subsidence costs are also payable. Applicants need to be available for at least four meetings a year, which normally start at 5pm and last between one and two hours, and may also be called upon to attend daytime hearings in relation to Code of Conduct determinations.

Lay members of the Standards Committee should:
be individuals of the highest integrity;
show an appreciation of the complex issues that can arise within any large organisation;
have a commitment to building a healthy local democracy; and
have an interest in seeing more transparent, democratic engagement by the Council with local people.

In order to demonstrate complete impartiality, lay members cannot be 'party political', or have been a member or employee of the Council within the last five years. They must not be related to, or be a close friend of, a current Councillor or employee of the Council.

Further details and an application form can be obtained from Stephen Taylor, the Council's Director of Law and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer on 01793 463012, or by writing to him at Swindon Borough Council, Civic Offices, Euclid Street, Swindon, SN1 2JH.

Applications should be received by noon on 13^th April 2015. It is anticipated that interviews will be held in the week commencing 27^th April 2015.