Agenda and minutes

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 may have in respect of business on the agenda.  No interests were declared but Councillor Simpson advised the Committee that he had sought confirmation that he was free to attend the meeting as the complainant attended parish council meetings.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 3 on the grounds that it contains information relating to an individual. 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 public and press be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 3 (Complaint against a Member of a Council covered by the Joint Standards Committee) on the grounds that it contained information relating to an individual.  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 a complaint 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 a complaint made against a Member of a Council covered by the Joint Standards Committee and were asked to decide whether, and how, the matter should be pursued.

The substance of the complaint was that a Member had called another Member a liar and had made other personal comments about them.

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

Members agreed that sufficient prima facie factual evidence had been provided to enable them to make a decision.  Although the evidence appeared to demonstrate a breach of the Code the matter did not require referral for investigation.

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

Resolved:  That the Monitoring Officer be instructed to liaise with the Group Whip of the subject of the complaint to secure an apology for the complainant¹.

Reason:     The Sub-Committee considers that the facts of the case indicate a prima facie breach of the Code, as the content of the email had been inappropriate.