R10-33

The Standards Board has undertaken a considerable amount of work to foster forums and regional support networks for monitoring officers and standards committee members. It has hosted four annual national assemblies for standards committee members, and has supported the development of regional forums of independent standards committee members. It will continue to provide speakers for such forums where requested, and attend regional meetings of the Association of Council Secretaries and Solicitors. It has developed and is continuing to support networks of monitoring officers and standards committees around the country, for example, through the provision of training materials and the circulation of newsletters giving information on issues of mutual interest to members and officers. The Board will continue to support and maintain these networks, with the aim of sharing knowledge and good practice. We will consider ensuring these regional networks develop more formal structures, which might include regional ‘primus inter pares’ monitoring officers and chairs.