1.What qualifications do I need to join the Association (AIMSce)?Ans. Be an independent member of a Local Authority Standards Committee in England.
2. Do I need my Authority’s permission to join?Ans. No.
3. Can my Authority pay my joining fee and subscription?Ans. Yes. Either by cheque or direct payment into AIMSce’s bank account.
4. Can my authority join, since individual independent members change from time to time?Ans. No. All membership is individual.
5. What training do I require to be an effective member?Ans. The basic training covers the Code of Conduct, Local Investigations and Local Determinations.Other training may be provided by your authority ranging over many aspects of the ethical and probity agenda. It can also be gained by becoming an active member of AIMSce and a local forum of Independent Members.
6. How do I find out about the local forum near me?Ans. Send an e-mail to either peter.rowland@aimsce.org.uk or bruce.claxton@aimsce.org.uk.
7. What orientation do I require when I become an Independent Member of a local authority standards committee?Ans. Your Authority should provide you with some form of induction programme. Ideally this will include:(I) The terms of reference of your committee;(ii) Your authority’s constitution;(iii) Your authority’s record regarding previous allegations and their outcomes;(iv) Copies of previous minutes, agendas, papers considered by the committee and the committee’s annual reports;(v) You should also be encouraged to attend as an observer various meetings of your authority and its committees in order to experience how the councillors conduct their business. If your authority has Parish and Town councils then attending some of their meetings will also be useful to gain a fuller understanding.(vi) Details of allowances that are available for you as a ‘co-opted’ member. These should include details of travelling expenses, child / carers allowance & other out-of-pocket expenses. Many authorities also pay a basic allowance for attending meetings & training sessions. You should not have to accept any or all of these payments if you do not wish - some people view them as diminishing their independence; but this is not universal.
8. What restrictions are there to me bring considered as a potential independent member of a standards committee?Ans. When there is a vacancy for an independent member, it should be advertised in the local press. There are no accepted national criteria for these posts. The keys are(I) the need for independence from the Authority,(ii) experience of work in a similar field,(iii) evidence of a sound good common sense,(iv) evidence that you will have the time to give to this work.There may be issues if you are involved with a Parish or Town Council and you are considering applying to the standards committee which is also the standards committee of your Parish or Town Council. This could affect you if, for example, you are the Parish Clerk.
9. As a member am I able to put the letters MAIMSce after my name?Ans. Current custom and practice is not to put strings of initials after one’s name. When it is done, it is generally limited to professional qualifications gained by degree or equivalent or to national honours such as MBE etc.
