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Joint Standards Committee |
20 April 2023 |
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Report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer |
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Monitoring Report in respect of Complaints Received
Summary
1. This report is to update the Committee on the position regarding ongoing complaints.
Background
2. The Joint Standards Committee is responsible for promoting a culture of openness, accountability, probity and the maintenance of high standards of conduct by members. In order to do this, it reviews all code of conduct complaints.
3. The Monitoring Officer provides a regular report to facilitate such review.
4. The table attached at Annex A provides information about open complaints.
5. The table attached at Annex B provides information about complaints closed since last JSC.
Commentary on Case Logs
6. Case reference 2022/18 is under investigation by a CYC lawyer. Witness Interviews have been completed and the investigator originally expected to complete a draft report by the end of January 2023. Further information was however highlighted by the parties and that is being considered. This is the only remaining long standing investigation which unfortunately has been the subject of significant delay.
7. Case references 2023/04, 2023/05 and 2023/06 were all received shortly before the pre election period and will not be actively advanced until after the May poll.
Recently closed cases
8. Case references 2023/01 and 2023/02 were considered twice by the JSC sub committee which ultimately found no breach. Case references 2022/13 and 14 were investigated together fully by a CYC lawyer but withdrawn following circulation of the draft report owing to the death of one of the subject members. Case reference 2022/16 was fully investigated by a CYC lawyer and a finding of no breach was adopted by the Monitoring Officer following consultation with the IP. Case reference 2023/03 (a parish matter) was filtered by the JSC sub committee as not capable of constituting a breach of the Member Code. A separate complaint concerning the same subject is ongoing under the parish council’s own process.
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
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.
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Author & Officer Responsible for the report: Frances Harrison Deputy Monitoring Officer |
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Report Approved |
√ |
Date |
12th January 2023 |
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Wards Affected: List wards or tick box to indicate all |
All |
X |
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For further information please contact the author of the report |
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Background Papers:
· Annex A – Table showing open complaints received.
· Annex B – Table showing received complaints closed since last JSC.