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 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 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 press and public be excluded 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.

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 related to alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct by a Member at a meeting at which they were in attendance.

The report of the 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 complaint, it was

Resolved:  That no further action be taken by the Joint Standards Committee.

Reason:     That, whilst not condoning the behaviour of the Member concerned, the sub-committee noted that the Member had apologised to the complainant, considered the fact that political free speech has a high level of protection and that allowance should in any case be given for the pressures of a committee environment and they also believed that these were more appropriately matters for the Group Whip.