08 February 2012Sevenoaks District residents who are keen to ensure that the highest standards of conduct are met by Councillors in local government are being invited to join the Council's Standards Committee as an independent member.
The Standards Committee is made up of independent members and elected Councillors and monitors the Councillor Code of Conduct, ensuring that all Councillors receive proper training on conduct and the rules and procedures to be followed. It also considers any alleged breaches of the Code by local Councillors.
Applicants would need reliable judgment and an unbiased, impartial approach to ensuring that the Council is accountable and open to the public.
No specific qualifications are required but applicants would need to be able to attend at least one evening meeting approximately every twelve weeks and some meetings called at short notice during the day.
The position is not open to anyone who has been a Councillor or an officer of Sevenoaks District Council in the last five years, or a close friend or relative of a Councillor or employee. It is also not open to anyone who is currently a Councillor or officer of any local authority.
Cllr Elaine Bracken Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for legal and democratic services, says: "Sevenoaks District Council is committed to promoting and maintaining the highest standards of conduct. We are keen to recruit an impartial member of the public to our Standards Committee to demonstrate that the way we operate and resolve any standards related problems are both clear and transparent".
Anyone interested in joining the Committee should contact Kam Dallon on 01732 227180 or e-mail democratic.services@sevenoaks.gov.uk for an information pack and application form.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Tuesday 6 April.
