Independent Person
Appointment of an Independent Person
The role of the Independent Person is a statutory post which assists in maintaining and promoting high ethical standards of conduct for councillors of Stroud District Council and all parish and town councils across the district.
If the council has decided to investigate an allegation that the Code of Conduct has been breached then the views of the Independent Person(s) must be sought, and taken in to account, before the council makes its decision on any such allegation. The council may also seek the views of the Independent Person in relation to allegations where no decision to investigate has been made, and any Councillor who has been complained about may also seek the views of the Independent Person(s).
It is anticipated that the views of the Independent Person(s) will usually be sought by the Monitoring Officer by email, but on occasions, contact may be by telephone or in face‑to‑face meetings. Furthermore, the Independent Person(s) may be invited to attend any meeting of the Standards Sub-Committee which is considering an allegation of a breach of the code of conduct.
Support will be provided by the council’s Monitoring Officer, who will arrange any necessary training and provide such information and assistance as is necessary to enable the Independent Person(s) to perform the role effectively.
The Council is looking to appoint 2 Independent Persons. The Independent Person will not be an employee of the Council. An annual allowance of £1,058.58 is payable in respect of this appointment, and travelling and subsistence expenses will be paid at the appropriate rate for any approved journeys. The term of office will be for an initial fixed term of 2 years until May 2028 with the option to extend for a further 2 years to May 2030. It should be noted that Stroud District Council may merge with other Gloucestershire Councils during either the initial term or extended term which will mean that appointments will terminate on the date that the council ceases to exist. All appointments will be subject to the Independent Person complying with the Code of Conduct. The Council may terminate an appointment at any time.
The closing date for applications is 23:59 on Sunday 21st June 2026.
INDEPENDENT PERSON - SELECTION CRITERIA
If you wish to have an informal discussion about the role, please email Alice McAlpine, Monitoring Officer monitoring.officer@stroud.gov.uk