17 April 2013 Appointment of Independent Persons to the ...

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Lake District National Park Authority Agenda Item: 12 Authority: 17 April 2013 Page 2 2.7 The position of Independent Person was advertised in the Westmorland Gazette, the Cumberland News and the Cumberland & Westmorland Herald at the end of January/beginning of February 2013 and applicants were invited to complete an application form. 2.8 The Monitoring Officer received seven completed application forms and these were shortlisted on 4 March 2013. The three shortlisted candidates met with John Thompson, Member and Chair of the Governance Committee, and Steve Ratcliffe, Monitoring Officer, who chose two Independent Persons to assist the Authority. 2.9 The individuals selected are David Frank Tweddle and Andrew Timothy Southorn. Members are asked to confirm these appointments. 3 POLICY CONTEXT 3.1 Sound corporate governance lies at the heart of the Authority’s ability to achieve the key delivery aims of the Vision. The work of the Governance Committee is set out in the Committee’s Terms of Reference and the Localism Act 2011. 4 OPTIONS 4.1 Members agree with the recommendation of the Chair of Governance Committee and the Monitoring Officer and appoint David Frank Tweddle and Andrew Timothy Southorn as Independent Persons for the Authority. 4.2 Members decline to appoint the recommended individuals as Independent Persons and request the Monitoring Officer to re-advertise the position. 5 PROPOSALS 5.1 David Frank Tweddle and Andrew Timothy Southorn be appointed as Independent Persons to the Lake District National Park Authority. 5.2 That reimbursement of expenses incurred by Independent Persons be in line with the Members Allowances Scheme 5.3 That the allowance of £150.00 per annum is payable to each Independent Person. 6 BEST VALUE IMPLICATIONS 6.1 The report has no best value implications. 7 FINANCE CONSIDERATIONS 7.1 The appointment of Independent Persons will incur the Authority in additional expenditure in the sum of an allowance of £150.00 per annum per Independent Person together with travel and subsistence expenses.
Lake District National Park Authority Agenda Item: 12 Authority: 17 April 2013 Page 3 8 RISK 8.1 The Authority must ensure that there are systems in place to show compliance with the duty contained in the Localism Act 2011 to “promote and maintain high standards of conduct” by Members together with a suitable Code of Conduct for Members, a complaints process by which such Code is enforced which must include a role for Independent Persons. 9 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS 9.1 Under the terms of the Localism Act 2011 the Authority is required to appoint at least one Independent Person who must be consulted before the Authority takes a decision to investigate any allegations; and who may be consulted by a Member of the Authority against whom an allegation has been made. 9.2 It is considered to be best practise to appoint two Independent Persons to ensure that there is no conflict of interest should a member wish to consult an Independent Person in respect of an investigation. The appointment of two Independent Members will also ensure that an Independent Member will be available to cover the holidays/commitments of the other. 10 DIVERSITY IMPLICATIONS There are no Diversity Implications. 11 SUSTAINABILITY 11.1 There are no significant environmental, economic and social effects. Background Papers 1: Background Papers 2: Background Papers 3: Author/Post Date Written 2 April 2013 Localism Act 2011 Independent Person application pack Completed applications Julie Wood, Deputy Monitoring Officer and Solicitor
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