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Course focus

Advanced Advocacy

Date:
14 July 2008
Venue:
Walker Morris, Leeds
CPD:
5.5

Training programmes

Local First Sieve for Standards Complaints

Refreshments will be available half an hour before and after the course.

From 8th May 2008, Standards Committees of local authorities in England will be responsible for the initial assessment of allegations of misconduct by Councillors. The Standards Committee Regulations only came out on 17th April. The Guidance from the Standards Board for England came out on 6th May. Bethan and Peter are experienced former local authority lawyers with extensive practical experience of standards complaints, investigations and hearings. Together, they have drafted model terms of reference for the Referrals and Review Sub-Committees required under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 1007, and a protocol for the Monitoring Officer on the conduct on local initial assessments.
This urgent seminar is aimed at local authority Monitoring Officers, Lawyers and Democratic Services staff who will have to organise this function and will aim to bring together the legislation, the Guidance and practical experience to answer such questions as –

  • What is the minimum size for Standards Committees?
  • Who can or must be on each of these Sub-Committees?
  • Should the MO collect background information on a complaint?
  • Should the MO make a recommendation?
  • What scope is there for local resolution? How would it work?
  • How does the 20 working day limit work and what happens if you break it?
  • Do we need a fourth team to decide whether to go for a local or national hearing?
  • Who can sit on the hearing panel?

The objective will be to provide the complete set of texts which you will need to enable your authority to discharge this sensitive new function.

 

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