Agenda and minutes

To elect a Member to chair the meeting.

Resolved:  That Councillor Perrett 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 Members 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 Members 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 Members at a meeting at which they were in attendance.

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

Members considered the following options:

·        Decide that no further action be taken or,

·        Refer the matter to the Monitoring Officer for investigation

·        Consider whether some other action may be appropriate

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

Resolved:  (i)      That no further action be taken against the

                             Members concerned.

(ii)      That the Sub-Committee was pleased to note that the Council of which the Councillors concerned were members had sought the support of the Local Councils’ Association and that the Monitoring Officer had offered his assistance in this process. The Sub-Committee recommended that this support included putting in place appropriate training for the Clerk and the Councillors. 

(iii)     That it be recommended that the Council concerned reviews its Standing Orders to ensure that they take into account the “Open and Accountable Local Government” guidance issued by the Department for Communities and Local Government in August 2014. Consideration should also be given as to whether there was a need to raise awareness of this guidance with other local councils.

Reasons:   (i)      The Sub-Committee considers that the Code of

Conduct did not apply in this situation as the Members present were not acting as representatives of the parish council.

(ii)      To support the Council in its work.

(iii)     To ensure that councils are aware of the guidance.