Agenda and minutes

None, all present.

Members are requested to indicate at this stage in the proceedings any items on the agenda in which they intend to declare an interest. Members are reminded that if the interest is a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest (as defined in the Members’ Code of Conduct) they must leave the room for the whole of that item. If the interest is not a Disclosable Pecuniary Interest, but is such that a member of the public could reasonably regard it as being so significant that it is likely that it would prejudice their judgment of the public interest (as explained in the Code of Conduct) then they may make representations, but then must leave the meeting for the remainder of the item.

None declared.

To consider the exclusion of the press and public for the following items of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

RESOLVED: that the press and public be excluded for the following item of business on the ground that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972.

By virtue of Paragraph 1: Information relating to any individual.

At its meeting held on 30 August 2017, the panel had considered a complaint against two members of the council. In respect of one of those (Councillor A), the panel had decided a course of action to be taken as a way to resolve the complaint.  This decision had been given to Councillor A.  However, Councillor A had not agreed to carry out the panel’s decision but had suggested an alternative solution to the matter.

There was subsequent dialogue with Councillor A and also a meeting attended by the then Chairman of the Standards Committee, an Independent Person and the Monitoring Officer.

The alternative proposed by the councillor was that they could attend a training session, they could write a letter of regret to the three affected members of the public and make a joint statement with the Leader of the Council.  The statement would indicate that there had been a number of issues/mistakes by a number of individuals but there was now a need to move forward together. 

The panel was now asked whether it was prepared to accept Councillor A’s suggested proposal (in whole/part), suggest any alternative(s), no further action be taken or that the matter be referred for a full formal investigation.

The panel then discussed at length the merits of the options available and potential outcomes.  After weighing up the alternatives, the panel felt that on balance that informal resolution was the most appropriate action.

RESOLVED (UNANIMOUSLY): that Councillor A

1.    attends a training session on the Code of Conduct for Elected Members;

2.    writes to the three members of the public affected; and

3.    writes to the Leader of the Council suggesting a meeting to discuss a way forward.