Joint Standards Assessments Sub-Committee Public Report	19 May 2022
Report of the Monitoring Officer

Complaints received in respect of Parish / Town Councillors

Summary

To consider five complaints in respect of the Code of Conduct received in respect of four Parish/Town Councillors to determine next steps.

Recommendations

The options available to the Sub-Committee are as follows:

1. Rule that the complaints in respect of the Councillors do not fall within the remit of the Code of Conduct.  This will mean that no further action is taken and the matter is brought to a close.

OR

2. Rule that the complaints should progress to an investigation.  This will mean that the Monitoring Officer will appoint an Investigating Officer in accordance with the published procedure for handling Code of Conduct complaints.  Members will be asked for a view as to who may conduct such an investigation, including whether the investigation should be conducted internally, or whether an external body is instructed.

Background

The Monitoring Officer has requested a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Joint Standards Committee to determine if the complaints received should be investigated.

There are five complaints in total relating to four councillors containing allegations that the councillors in question have allegedly acted with disrespect and some have alleged acted in a bullying and harassing manner towards other.

Options

The Sub-Committee must now consider the following options:

1. The five complaints in respect of the four Councillors do not fall within the remit of the Code of Conduct.  This will mean that no further action is taken and the matter is brought to a close.

OR

2. The complaints should progress to an investigation.  This will mean that the Monitoring Officer will appoint an Investigating Officer in accordance with the published procedure for handling Code of Conduct complaints.  Members will be asked for a view as to who may conduct such an investigation, including whether the investigation should be conducted internally, or whether an external body is instructed.

Implications

Financial

Not applicable to this report.

Human Resources (HR)

Not applicable to this report.

Equalities

The Councillors, who are the subject matter of the complaints, will be offered the support of an Independent Person as part of this process.

Legal

The Monitoring Officer is required to consider all formal complaints received in respect of the Code of Conduct in line with the published procedure for handling Code of Conduct complaints.

Crime and Disorder, Information Technology (IT) and Property

Not applicable to this report.

Other

Not applicable to this report.

Contact Details

Author and Chief Officer Responsible for the report:
Janie Berry Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer Tel No. 01904 555385
	Report Approved	√	Date	4^th May 2022
Wards Affected:  Haxby & Wigginton ward					All
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

· City of York Council Code of Conduct and Procedure for Handling of Complaints

· City of York Council Constitution