Every council has to appoint at least one Independent Person to support their standards procedures. IPs play a vital role in ensuring the upholding of high ethical standards in local authorities.
This new half day course will focus on the key role of the IP in ensuring code of conduct issues are dealt with fairly and consistently. It is aimed at Independent Persons themselves and also Monitoring Officers (and DMOs). It will be particularly useful for newly appointed IPs and MOs/DMOs. The course will cover:
The statutory requirements in relation to the appointment of IPs
The roles and responsibilities of IPs
The key stages of a complaint when the IP needs to be involved
Tricky issues in standards matters for both the MO and IP
Cases and commentary which have explored the role of the IP
Collective responsibility for high ethical standards in a local authority
The session will be delivered by Bethan Evans and Gill Sinclair, both experienced local government lawyers and trainers on standards issues who also investigate code of conduct complaints.
Bethan Evans Governance Training and Consultancy
Beth is a recognised expert in local authority governance, having worked in the field for over 35 years. She worked as an in-house lawyer for nearly 20 years at four different councils in England specialising in housing, education and social care. Beth then moved into management posts, culminating in roles as a County Solicitor and a Director of Corporate Services in a unitary authority.
Beth led the Welsh Local Government Agency responsible for improvement and development in Welsh local government for three years. In 2001 she joined Bevan Brittan LLP as a partner where she led the local government team for 17 years, four of which she spent as senior partner.
Beth acted as secretary and chair of a branch and then as national chair of the (then) Local Government Group in 1998/99.
Gill is an experienced local government lawyer who has worked for over 20 years in the fields of governance, standards and planning.
Gill has extensive experience of providing advice to councils on decision-making, probity, standards and the Member Code of Conduct. She has undertaken all aspects of work relating to allegations of breaches of the Code, including assessment and investigation of complaints, reporting and advising the Standards Committee, dealing with Standards Committee hearings and providing training to Councillors and Independent Persons.
Related training
09:30 - 12:30
Online
