Regulation 5 Appointments to standards committees

(1)

Subject to the following provisions of this regulation, a person may only be appointed as an independent member of a standards committee if the appointment is—

(a)

approved by a majority of the members of the authority;

(b)

advertised in one or more newspapers circulating in the area of the authority, and in such other publications or websites as the authority considers appropriate;

(c)

of a person who submitted an application to the authority.

(2)

But a person may not be appointed as an independent member of a standards committee if that person—

(a)

has within the period of five years immediately preceding the date of the appointment been a member or officer of the authority; or

(b)

is a relative or close friend of a member or officer of the authority.

(3)

A person who is an independent member of the standards committee of a different relevant authority, may be appointed as an independent member of the standards committee of an authority unless that person—

(a)

has within the period of five years immediately preceding the date of the appointment been a member or officer of that authority; or

(b)

is a relative or close friend of a member or officer of that authority.

(4)

An independent member appointed under paragraph (3) may, as an alternative to being appointed for a specified period of time, be appointed in relation to a particular allegation, or set of allegations against a member, co-opted member, former member, or former co-opted member, and the term of office of an independent member so appointed shall be fixed accordingly.

(5)

Subject to paragraph (7), an authority may adopt such procedures as it thinks fit for the appointment to the standards committee of—

(a)

independent members under paragraph (3) of this regulation; and

(b)

members of parish councils.

(6)

Any person appointed as an independent member of a standards committee of an authority under this regulation who becomes—

(a)

a member or officer of an authority; or

(b)

a relative of a member or officer of that authority,

shall cease to be a member of the standards committee.

(7)

An authority must have regard to any relevant guidance issued by the Standards Board in making appointments under this regulation.