Job description
About you:
You will have a broad range of experience from the public, private, voluntary or charitable sectors, which may include self-employment or voluntary roles. You bring good analytical skills and can quickly understand and weigh up written and oral information to reach balanced, evidence-based judgements.
You act with a high level of personal integrity and maintain strict confidentiality. You are objective, independent and impartial, and can demonstrate a strong commitment to high standards of conduct, probity and ethical behaviour in public life.
You have good communication and interpersonal skills, with the tact, diplomacy and logical reasoning needed to handle sensitive matters. You are able to work constructively with councillors and officers in a committee setting and are reliable, committed and able to devote time to the role during the working day and evenings when required.
You will live or work locally and be over 18. To ensure your independence, you must not be, or have been within the last five years, a member, co-opted member or officer of Exeter City Council, and you must not be a close friend or relative of any such person. No formal qualifications are required.
About the role:
This statutory role, created under the Localism Act 2011, is central to Exeter City Council’s arrangements for promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct among elected and co-opted members.
As an Independent Person you will be consulted by the Monitoring Officer on how the Council should deal with complaints that councillors may have breached the Members’ Code of Conduct, including whether complaints merit investigation, whether local resolution should be sought and, following investigation, what action might be appropriate. You may also be consulted by councillors who are the subject of a standards complaint.
You will uphold the Council’s Code of Conduct and the seven principles of public life: selflessness, honesty, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness and leadership. You will help the Council to promote a strong ethical culture and act as an advocate for high standards of behaviour.
The role is voluntary and independent from the Council, with a small allowance payable. The time commitment will vary depending on the number and complexity of complaints received, and you will need to be available as required during normal office hours and occasionally in the evening. You may also be invited to sit on panels convened to advise the Council where certain senior officer disciplinary matters are being considered. Training will be provided.
About the team:
You will work closely with the Monitoring Officer and the Council’s Audit and Governance Committee, who together oversee the ethical framework and Code of Conduct arrangements for Exeter City Council.
You will be one of up to two Independent Persons supporting the Council’s standards regime. You will join a small, experienced team who are committed to ensuring that complaints are handled fairly, proportionately and in line with statutory requirements and local procedures.
You will be supported with induction, training on the Code of Conduct and the standards framework, and opportunities to attend relevant training events and networks for Independent Persons.
Pay Information
This is a voluntary role for which a small allowance will be paid. The sum of £50 will be paid to the Independent Persons affiliated to the Audit and Governance Committee for up to four hours work, and £100 for four hours and over.