Joint Standards Committee - Assessments Sub-Committee
Tuesday 9 August 2022
Decision Notice 1 – Agenda Item 4
Attendance
Members of the Assessment Sub-Committee:
Cllr S Rawlings (Parish Councillor and Vice Chair of the Joint Standards Committee) – Chair
Cllr M Rowley
Cllr J Galvin
Background
The Assessment Sub-Committee was constituted in accordance with procedures approved by the City of York Council Joint Standards Committee to consider a complaint in relation to the conduct of a City of York Councillor.
The Assessment Sub-Committee met on 13th January 2022, to consider a complaint in respect of a City of York Councillor. On that occasion, the Assessment Sub Committee determined that the complaint should progress to an investigation and the Deputy Monitoring Officer appointed an External Investigating Officer in accordance with the Committee’s decision.
On 9th August 2022, the draft report prepared by the External Investigating Officer was considered by the Assessment Sub Committee.
The External Investigating Officer concluded that the Councillor did not breach the Code of Conduct.
Decision
The Assessment Sub-Committee considered the External Investigating Officer’s report and determined that the draft investigating officer’s report was complete and the finding of no breach of the Code of Conduct was accepted, on the basis that the behaviour complained of did not constitute a breach of the Code.
The decision of the Assessment Sub-Committee is final and there is no right of appeal.
The decision of the Assessments Sub-Committee will be reported to the Joint Standards Committee at their next meeting.
Councillor S Rawlings
Councillor M Rowley
Councillor J Galvin
Decision Notice 2 – Agenda Item 5, Subject Member 1
Attendance
Members of the Assessment Sub-Committee:
Cllr S Rawlings (Parish Councillor and Vice Chair of the Joint Standards Committee) – Chair
Cllr M Rowley
Cllr M Pavlovic
Background
The Assessment Sub-Committee was constituted in accordance with procedures approved by the City of York Council Joint Standards Committee to consider a complaint in relation to the conduct of a City of York Councillor.
The Assessment Sub-Committee met on 9 December 2021, to consider a complaint in respect of a City of York Councillor. On that occasion, the Assessment Sub Committee determined that the complaint should progress to an investigation and the Monitoring Officer appointed an External Investigating Officer in accordance with the Committee’s decision.
On 9 August 2022, the draft report prepared by the External Investigating Officer was considered by the Assessment Sub Committee.
The External Investigating Officer concluded that the Councillor (Subject Member 1) did not breach the Code of Conduct as there was no direct evidence to support the alleged behaviour referenced in the complaint.
Decision
The Assessment Sub-Committee considered the External Investigating Officer’s report and determined that the draft investigating officer’s report was complete and the finding of no breach of the Code of Conduct was accepted, on the basis that there was a lack of direct evidence to support the allegations within the complaint.
The decision of the Assessment Sub-Committee is final and there is no right of appeal.
The decision of the Assessments Sub-Committee will be reported to the Joint Standards Committee at their next meeting.
Councillor S Rawlings
Councillor M Rowley
Councillor M Pavlovic
Decision Notice 3 – Agenda Item 5, Subject Members 2 and 3
Attendance
Members of the Assessment Sub-Committee:
Cllr S Rawlings (Parish Councillor and Vice Chair of the Joint Standards Committee) – Chair
Cllr M Rowley
Cllr M Pavlovic
Background
The Assessment Sub-Committee was constituted in accordance with procedures approved by the City of York Council Joint Standards Committee to consider a complaint in relation to the conduct of two City of York Councillors.
The Assessment Sub-Committee met on 9th December 2021, to consider a complaint in respect of two City of York Councillors. On that occasion, the Assessment Sub Committee determined that the complaint should progress to an investigation and the Monitoring Officer appointed an External Investigating Officer in accordance with the Committee’s decision.
On 9th August 2022, the draft report prepared by the External Investigating Officer was considered by the Assessment Sub Committee.
The External Investigating Officer concluded that in his opinion the two City of York Councillors did breach the Code of Conduct.
The Assessment Sub Committee were of the opinion that there may be a potential breach of the Code of Conduct and on that basis has listed the complaint for a hearing so as to enable the two City of York Councillors to attend and share their views with the Panel.
Decision
The Assessment Sub-Committee considered the External Investigating Officer’s report and determined that the complaint against the two City of York Councillors should be listed for a Hearing on 2nd September 2022.
Councillor S Rawlings, Chair of the Assessment Sub Committee
Councillor M Rowley
Councillor M Pavlovic