Case ref

City or Parish

Complainant

Date Received

Nature of Complaint

Status / updates

2022/18

LCB1.981

CYC

Resident

12/08/22

This complaint is as a result of ongoing matters at the Parish Council. The complainant alleges the Cllrs behaviour is not in line with the code of conduct.

 

This complaint is being assessed by the Deputy Monitoring Officer.

 

Views of the IP sought.

 

Complaint assessed and will progress to investigation. Parties notified.

 

Witness Interviews have been completed and the investigator has submitted his final report with IP and recommendations to the MO on 8th June.

 

MO supports the finding of disrespect and recommendation that the matter be resolved informally through an apology.

 

Informal resolution by way of apology rejected by subject Councillor. In consultation with the Chair of the Standards Committee and the Independent Person, the decision was made to close the case. The reasons for this include the fact that expectations of conduct have been effectively outlined to the subject member in the report and the sanctions which could be imposed by a hearing panel are minimal. Complaint closed, parties notified.

 

2023/04

LCB1.1019

CYC & Parish

Parish

15/03/23

The complainant alleges the Councillor breached the code of conduct by not declaring an interest at a Town Council meeting and did not leave the room when the agenda item was discussed and voted on.

 

This complaint is currently being assessed by the Monitoring Officer.

 

The views of the IP have been sought.

 

The MO has suggested informal resolution by way of a letter of advice. Letter has been sent to Subject Member and the informal resolution has been accepted. Advice letter shared with complainant for information. Complaint closed. Parties notified.

 

2023/06

CYC & Parish

Parish

24/03/23

The complainant alleges the Councillor breached section 3 paragraph 1 of the code of conduct and has used social media to disrespect a parish council.

The Monitoring Officer has applied a filter to this complaint and concludes that there is no evidence to demonstrate conduct capable of constituting disrespect in breach of the Code.

 

MO has informed the parties that there will be no further action in respect of this complaint.

Complaint closed. Parties notified.

 

2023/08

LCB1.1031

Parish

York Resident

20/04/23

The complainant alleges the Councillor breached the code of conduct by restricting public attendance at a Parish Council meeting. The complainant also alleges the Councillor’s behaviour at this meeting was in breach of the code.

This complaint falls under paragraph 5 of the complaints handling process as the subject member was, at the time of the events complained of, Chairperson of the Parish Council concerned. It will therefore be referred to a JSC Sub Committee.

 

The views of the IP have been sought (and received) and will be incorporated into the MO’s report to JSC Sub Committee on 26th June 2023.

 

The IP recommends investigation.

 

The JSC Sub Committee determined the complaint does fall within scope of the Code of Conduct and suggested informal resolution by way of apology. Subject Member invited to personally apologise to the complainant.

 

Subject Member has produced a letter of apology. Letter sent to complainant. Complaint closed. Parties notified.

 

2023/10

Parish

Parish

30/05/23

The complainant alleges the Councillor made false statements against them at the end of a public meeting.

This complaint is currently being assessed by the Monitoring Officer.

 

Views of the IP sought.

 

Complaint assessed, no further action will be taken because the events complained of occurred more than 6 months ago and the complaint is tit for tat/maliciously motivated. Parties notified. Complaint closed.

 

2023/11

City

York resident

15/06/23

The complainant alleges the Councillor made unprovoked defamatory comments against them on social media.

This complaint falls under paragraph 5 of the complaints handling process, it will therefore be referred to a JSC Sub Committee.

 

The JSC Sub Committee determined the Code of Conduct had not been breached as the Cllr was acting in a personal capacity. Complaint closed. Parties notified.

 

2023/12

CYC

York Resident

02/08/2023

The complainant alleges the Councillor knowingly misled members of the public in a discussion regarding the implementation of race day traffic barriers at a meeting. The complainant also alleges the Councillor treated them unfairly by refusing to engage with them.

This complaint is currently being assessed by the Monitoring Officer.

 

Views of the IP sought.

 

As the subject member is Chair of a CYC Committee, the complaint will be referred to a JSC Sub Committee on 18th September.

 

The JSC Sub Committee concluded that the matters complained of are not capable of constituting breaches of the Member Code of Conduct. There was no evidence of behaviour crossing the boundaries of disrepute or disrespect within the meaning of the Code. Complaint closed.