Doncaster Metropolitan Borough Council

Terms of Reference - Standards Committee

Standards Committee

For Recommendation to Council:

1. The adoption or revision of the Members Code of Conduct and the operation of the Code of Conduct; assisting the Mayor, Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives to observe the Members Code of Conduct (including the provision of training)
2. In conjunction with the Monitoring Officer, to monitor, review and propose amendments to this Constitution specifically relating to matters referred by the Elections and Democratic Structures Committee.    

Delegated Matters:

1. To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by the Mayor, Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives of Overview and Scrutiny Committees or Sub-Committees.
2. To grant dispensations to Councillors, Co-opted Members and Church and Parent Governor representatives from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members Code of Conduct.
3. To maintain oversight of any major issues arising from Police or other enquires into the conduct of the Council in order to minimise disruption to other branches of the Authority.
4. To monitor and review the Council’s Whistleblower’s policy.
5. To monitor and review protocols for standards of behaviour for Members and Officers.
6. To monitor and review protocols for Members and Officers on relationships and dealings with outside organisations and individuals.
7. To monitor and review Member and Officer procedures relating to gifts and hospitality and prejudicial and personal interests.
8. To receive periodic reports from appropriate Executive Directors on probity and corporate governance issues not specifically referred to elsewhere within the Committee’s Terms of Reference.
9. To monitor and review the mandatory training programme for Members and Officers.
10. To monitor and oversee the response by the Council to complaints to the Ombudsman.
11. Dealing with complaints of alleged Member misconduct referred to the Monitoring Officer or any matter which is referred by an Ethical Standards Officer to the Monitoring Officer under Part III of the Local Government Act 2000.
12. Granting and supervision of exemptions from posts being designated as politically restricted. 
13. To arrange for the exercise of all the above functions in relation to Parish Councils wholly or mainly in its area and to the members of those Parish Councils.