Agenda item

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 public statements made by a Member in respect of another Member of the Council.

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:  (i)      That the subject of the complaint be asked to

                             reflect on his actions.

(ii)      That it be recommended that the wording of the Members’ Code of Conduct be reviewed.

Reasons:   (i)      Having viewed the evidence, Members agreed

that, in respect of the second part of the complaint, there appeared to have been a breach of the Code of Conduct but they determined that in this case a full investigation of the complaint would not be a good use of resources.

(ii)      To ensure that there is clarity in the Code regarding the required standards of behaviour.