The nomination of a local parish councillor for City of York council's new Standards committee has been received this week, following a ballot of parish councils held by the Yorkshire Local Councils Association and the committee has begun work on introducing the new national code of conduct for councillors in York.

The Standards committee is unique within the council as it is made up of two independent members of the public (one of whom chairs the committee), a parish councillor, as well as three city councillors.

The immediate purpose of the committee is to introduce, monitor and develop the new national code of conduct for councillors in York, which will come into effect following the Local Government Act 2000. They will advise the city council and parish councils in its area on issues of personal ethics and openness and will receive and report to the council on any written allegations of member misconduct, including recommendations on action to be taken.

Roger McMeeking, chair of the Standards committee, said: "We want to raise the profile of the committee now that we have completed the nominations for its membership. By involving members of the public and a parish councillor, we are able to bring a different, independent view to implementing this national code of conduct, which we hope will provide members of the public with the confidence that their complaint of a breach of the code will be dealt with properly.

"Our work will be to advise the city council and parish councils on introducing the new national code of conduct for councillors and the committee will provide members of the public, councillors and staff with a process for addressing issues relating to councillors' conduct."

The committee's chair, Mr McMeeking, formerly bursar at the University of York, is joined on the committee by independent local resident Phil Hodgetts, parish councillor M. Johnson of Dunnington parish council and City of York councillors Bell, Bradley and Dean. END