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.  None were declared.

To consider excluding the public and press from the meeting during consideration of agenda items 3 and 4 on the grounds that they contain 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 items 3 and 4 on the grounds that they contain 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 give further consideration to a complaint made against a Member of a Council covered by the Joint Standards Committee. This complaint was given initial consideration by the Assessments Sub-Committee at their meeting on 18 December 2014. 

Members gave further consideration to a complaint made against a Member of a Council covered by the Joint Standards Committee.  This complaint had been given initial consideration by the Assessments Sub-Committee at their meeting on 18 December 2014 and it had been agreed that the matter be referred to the Group Whips of the parties concerned in the expectation that they would resolve the issue in an appropriate manner.

The Group Whip of the complainants was in attendance along with the Group Leader of the subject of the complaint (the Group Whip was unable to be present). They were invited to report back to the committee on the action taken.  The Group Whip stated that he objected to the Group Leader being present, as he believed that he was partially involved in the complaint.  He requested that this objection be recorded in the minutes.

The Group Whip and Group Leader gave details of the communication that had taken place between the Whips regarding this issue. 

The Group Whip and Group Leader withdrew from the meeting.

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

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

Resolved:  That the subject of the complaint be requested to withdraw the remark and apologise in writing to the Member concerned.  (The apology to be copied to the Monitoring Officer and sent by the end of February 2015).

Reason:     In the interests of good ethical governance. 

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 matters should be pursued.

The substance of the complaint related to comments made at a Council meeting.

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

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

Resolved:  That no further action be taken but that the subject of the complaint be advised of the proper route for raising such issues.

Reason:     The Sub-Committee considers that no breach of the Code of Conduct has taken place requiring investigation.