Cumbria County Council Standards Committee

The Council's Standards Committee is responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by councillors and co-opted members.

It is composed of:-

• 4 county councillors; and
• 5 independent people (who are not councillors or employees of the council)

Chair`s Welcome

I am delighted to chair the County Council's Standards Committee.  The Committee has an important role to champion and promote high standards of conduct amongst our local politicians.

Research has proved that councils which display good conduct enjoy higher levels of public confidence than those which do not.

Building and maintaining an ethical framework is of paramount importance, and we believe that the ethical framework and Standards Committee have become an established and accepted part of corporate life within the County Council.  Public expectations of councillors remain high.

It is widely recognised that a number of factors may affect public trust in local government, a key driver is often the amount to which the public are kept informed.  It is for this purpose that the website is being updated and details of the local standards framework, the role of standards committee, meetings, accountability mechanisms, hearings as well as additional information will be published as we move forward.

The Committee welcomes any feedback of work undertaken.

Membership of the Committee

Role and Functions

The Council's Standards Committee is primarily responsible for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by councillors, and voting co-opted members.  It is responsible for advising and arranging, on behalf of the Council, any relevant training for members in relation to the requirements of the Code of Conduct for members (councillors) [pdf].  It is also responsible for:-

• the initial assessment, investigation and determination of allegations of misconduct;
• overseeing the Constitution;
• granting exemptions on restrictions which prevent Council staff from having any active political role either in or outside the workplace; and 
• overseeing the Council's complaints handling arrangements and Ombudsman investigations.   

This broad remit presents the Committee with the opportunity to make a much more meaningful, proactive and positive contribution to the work of the Council.  For further information the Council's Constitution sets out the basic rules governing the Standards Committee.

Council Constitution

Register of Members` Interests

Under the Members Code of Conduct the Council is required to maintain a register of certain financial and other interests including the offer of any gifts or hospitality.  You can view the register of interests on-line for individual councillors.  The document is also available for inspection at The Courts, Carlisle, during normal office hours.  Please note that members have 28 days to update their register of interests.

Details of individual councillors

Complaints against breach of code of conduct

On 8 May 2008 the responsibility for considering complaints that a councillor may have breached the Code of Conduct moved to the Standards Committee of Local Authorities.  Please see our pages on Complaints about Councillors for more information.

Complaints about Councillors

Agenda Papers

The agendas, minutes and reports for the meetings of the Standards Committee and also dates for future meetings are also available on the website.  Meetings are open to the press and public.  Occasionally, the Committee may meet in private to discuss specific confidential matters.

Agenda, minutes, reports and future meeting dates