UTTLESFORD District Council is looking for three “independent people” to work alongside its new Standards Committee from this summer.

The committee has the job of ensuring councillors – from both the district council and 53 parish councils in Uttlesford – conduct themselves in a proper way while carrying out their roles.

Previously, the council’s Standards Committee had independent members among its ranks, but a change in the law means the council needs now to appoint a new committee made up of district councillors. Working alongside this new committee will be the three independent people, who will advise the committee and senior officers in the council on matters relating to standards in public life.

An appointments panel, chaired by Cllr Tina Knight, has been set up to find these people.

Cllr Knight said: “These are extremely important appointments for the council and the successful applicants will help ensure councillors maintain the high standards of behaviour which the public expect.

“We are looking for community-minded people who are willing to give up a little of their time to help ensure the district’s elected representatives adhere to the Code of Conduct and carry out their work in a proper way. Transparency and good ethics are vital for the district council and for public life in general so I would encourage anyone who believes they can make a positive contribution to get in touch.”

Among the responsibilities of the independent people will be attending meetings of the Standards Committee and working with the council’s monitoring officer to determine whether complaints received about members should be investigated.

Further information and an application pack is available from Michael Perry, Uttlesford District Council’s assistant chief executive legal. He can be contacted on 01799 510416 or by e-mailing mperry@uttlesford.gov.uk

The closing date for applications is Friday May 11. The three independent people will each receive an annual allowance of �500.