Agenda item

8.1

Gillian Duckworth, Monitoring Officer, presented the report and explained that although the Council’s current Code of Conduct had only recently been approved by Council, the LGA had now published a Model Code of Conduct which councils could use.

8.2

The current code, along with the model code were attached to the report so that Members could compare.  The LGA Model Code had also been sent to the Council’s Independent Persons for them to review and their comments were included within the report.

8.3

David Waxman (Independent Person) commented that there were a number of complaints around the use of social media and noted that whilst the code was signed by Members, there were a number of supplements which should also be signed.  The Model Code would also benefit from referring to Members and Co-Opted Members throughout.

8.4

Councillor Adam Hurst felt that £50 limit for gifts and hospitality was too high and the Chair explained that the current Sheffield City Council limit was £10, in line with officers, and that it should remain at that level.

8.5

Councillor Angela Argenzio stated that she preferred the wording in the first person used in the model code as it felt more positive.  The model code was very similar in substance to the Council’s code, but the SCC code section was stronger on bullying.  It was important that the Members Code reflected the Officer Code.  Guidance was needed on the new challenges of broadcasting meetings and social media and training was required on how to keep yourself safe.

8.6

Councillor Dianne Hurst agreed that the wording in the first person was good and it felt like an affirmation.

8.7

The Chair agreed that personal safety training for Members was important, as was working in a political environment training for Members.  Councillor Angela Argenzio agreed and also felt that officers should be reminded to treat all Members the same and provide the same information to all Members regardless of political party.

8.8

Kate Josephs, Chief Executive, said that as an organisation of 8,000 officers, a strong robust offer of training needed to be available.  If officers were not being impartial, Members needed to let the Chief Executive know.

8.9

Gillian Duckworth, Monitoring Officer, reminded Members that there were links to the LGA training offer to Members via their Office 365 accounts.  The LGA had training and support regarding Councillor Safety.  This could also be raised with the Group Whips to look at providing to Members.

8.10

The Chair noted that there was a need for councillors to develop skills as well as represent people.  There were merits on both codes and officers should look at finding the best bits from both codes and use the style of the LGA Model Code.  Gifts and Hospitality should stay at £10.

8.11

RESOLVED:- That officers compare the Sheffield City Council Code and the LGA Model code and bring a new version back to the next meeting of the Audit and Standards Committee for consideration.