Agenda and minutes

To elect a Member to chair the meeting.

Resolved:  That Councillor Runciman be appointed to Chair the meeting.

Members are asked to declare:

·        Any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests

·        Any prejudicial interests or

·        Any disclosable pecuniary interests

which they may have in respect of business on this agenda.

Members were asked to declare any personal interests not included on the Register of Interests, any prejudicial interests or any disclosable pecuniary interests which they might have in respect of business on the agenda.  No additional interests were declared.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 4 on the grounds that it contains information relating to individuals.  This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

Resolved:  That the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 4 on the grounds that it contains information relating to individuals.  This information is classed as exempt under paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A to Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) (Variation) Order 2006.

To consider complaints made against a Member of a Council covered by the Joint Standards Committee, and to take an initial decision as to whether, and how, the matter should be pursued.

Members considered complaints made against a Member of a Council covered by the Joint Standards Committee and were asked to decide whether, and how, the matters should be pursued.

The substance of the complaints related to alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by the Member in respect of issues surrounding a meeting at which they were present.

The report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer and the views of the Independent Persons were noted.

Having considered the evidence provided in support of the complaints, it was

Resolved:  (i)      That no further action be taken in respect of the

allegation that the Member acted with bias at the meeting.

(ii)      That the other matters detailed in the complaints

be referred to the Monitoring Officer for investigation.

(iii)     That, as part of the investigation, consideration

be given as to whether it would be appropriate to provide further guidance to Members in respect of issues highlighted in the complaints.

Reasons:   (i)      The Sub-Committee considers that, in respect of

this aspect of the complaint, evidence had not been provided to demonstrate that the Code of Conduct had been breached.

(ii)      The Sub-Committee considers that, in respect of the other aspects of the complaints, the facts of

the case indicate a prima facie breach of the Code by the Member concerned.

(iii)     To ensure that Members receive appropriate guidance and training.