North Yorkshire County Council is seeking to appoint four members of the public to help maintain and promote the high ethical standards of the local authority and its members.
The role of “Independent Person” has been created under the Localism Act 2011 which requires all authorities to adopt a local code of conduct for councillors and to appoint independent people to advise.
The county council is therefore advertising for four public-spirited people with an interest in upholding ethical standards. They will join two important independent panels.
Two posts are open to people who will work with the local authority Monitoring Officer in relation to the treatment of complaints of members’ misconduct. They will attend at least two meetings of the Standards Committee per year as well as attend any complaint panel meetings and training sessions.
Two posts are open to people who will join the Independent Panel on Members’ Remuneration which provides advice and makes recommendations to the county council about its Members’ Allowances Scheme. The scheme sets out the amounts county councillors are paid to carry out their duties and the expenses they are entitled to claim. The Independent Panel consists of four members of the public. Post holders are required to attend at least one meeting of the panel each year and to receive and consider reports and papers relating to the scheme, upon which the panel must make recommendations.
Deputy Leader and County Councillor Carl Les said:
These are very important positions, North Yorkshire’s council members are fully committed to high ethical standards and independent scrutiny is such an important part of maintaining these standards.
An annual allowance is paid for all four positions which are suitable for people who are confident communicators and capable of dealing with complex issues.
For more information, please contact Carole Dunn, Assistant Chief Executive (Legal and Democratic Services) (tel: 01609 532173 or email carole.dunn@northyorks.gov.uk) or, for an information pack, please contact Julie Robinson (tel: 01609 532953 or e-mail julie.robinson@northyorks.gov.uk)
