The Standards Committee has the following responsibilities:

·      To promote and maintain high standards of conduct by the Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and church and parent governor representatives.

·      To assist Members, Co-opted Members and church and parent governor representatives to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct.

·      To advise the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

·      To monitor the operation of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

·      To advise and recommend training for Councillors, and co-opted Members and church and parent governor representatives on matters relating to the Members’ Code of Conduct.

·      To periodically review the “arrangements” under Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 under which allegations that a Member or co-opted Member of the Council, or of a Committee or Committee of the Council has failed to comply with the Council’s Code of Conduct are considered, investigated and determined.

·      To consider reports referred to the Committee by the Monitoring Officer of investigations into alleged breaches of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members.

·      To discharge all the Council’s functions under Section 28 of the Localism Act 2011 in relation to considering, investigating and making a decision on allegations that a Member or co-opted Member of the Council, or of a Committee or Committee of the Council, has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct.

·      To hear an appeal where a Member is dissatisfied with the decision in respect of a complaint against them.

·      To consider any applications for dispensations from Councillors and co-opted members to allow them to participate in decisions.

·      To consider any complaints in respect of Members referred to the Committee under the Council’s “Whistleblowing” procedure and determining the action to be taken, if any.

·      To consider, advise and, if appropriate, take action upon other Member conduct issues not otherwise dealt with under these terms of reference.