Joint Standards Committee	6 July 2021
Report of the Monitoring Officer

Monitoring Report in respect of Complaints Received

Summary

This report is to update the Committee on the position regarding ongoing complaints.

Background

The table attached at Annex A provides information about ongoing complaints and the table attached at Annex B provides the list of closed complaints. 

Case references 739, 740, 741 and 2020/06 are now being investigated by an external investigating officer. 

Case references 2020/04, 2020/15, 2020/18, 2020/19 and 2021/03 have all now been investigated and the Monitoring Officer has determined that the findings of the investigating officer are upheld, no breach having been found. 

Case reference 2020/10 has been referred back to the investigating officer for further investigation as requested by a Sub Committee of the Joint Standards Committee.  Case references 2020/12, 2020/20, 2021/08 and 2021/09 are all still under investigation. 

2020/13 has been investigated and the Monitoring Officer accepts the investigating officer’s findings that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.  The Monitoring Officer has proposed resolving the matter by way of local resolution and this matter is ongoing. 

The draft report of the investigating officer has now been received for case reference 2020/17 which is under review by the Monitoring Officer.

Case references 2020/14 and 2021/04 are being passed to a Joint Standards Committee Hearing Panel which will be convened once the pre hearing checklists have been received from the parties and considered by the Monitoring Officer.

Case references 2021/04, 2021/05 and 2021/10 have been assessed and no further action is to be taken, therefore, these matters are now closed. 

Case reference 2021/06 is currently being assessed.

Implications

Financial

Not applicable to this report.

Human Resources (HR)

Not applicable to this report.

Equalities

Maintaining standards across the City through the Code of Conduct ensures that an ethical framework can be adhered to, including ensuring that equality issues form an integral part of that framework. 

Legal

As detailed within the report.

Crime and Disorder, Information Technology and Property

Not applicable to this report.

Recommendations

1. That the Joint Standards Committee notes the report, in order to ensure that the Committee is aware of the current levels of activity and is able to provide oversight of the complaints procedure.

Author: Rachel Antonelli Senior Solicitor & Interim Deputy Monitoring Officer	Chief Officer Responsible for the report: Janie Berry Director of Governance & Monitoring Officer Tel:  01904 555385
Tel:  01904 551043
	Report Approved	√	Date	28 June 2021
Specialist Implications Officer(s):
Wards Affected:  List wards or tick box to indicate all					All	X
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

· Annex A – Table showing open complaints received.

· Annex B – Table showing closed complaints received.