Agenda and minutes

To receive any disclosures of interest from councillors in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct for members.

There were none.

The Panel is asked to consider excluding the press and public from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

In making its decision, the Panel is asked to confirm that having regard to all circumstances, it is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

In this case the proper administration of the complaints procedure in the public interest is that consideration of complaints should not be made public at an early stage, when the complaints may or may not be proved and may or may not be investigated.

Resolved that under Section 100a(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following item of business on the grounds that it may involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in the paragraph of part 1 of schedule 12a of the Act indicated below.

Paragraph 1 - Information relating to any individual and on the basis that publication would not be in the public interest because information and documentation is personal and subject to an obligation of confidentiality.

The report of the Monitoring Officer sets out an allegation made by way of a complaint against a Borough Councillor concerning a potential breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Assessment Panel is asked to make a determination in respect of whether or not any action should be taken.

The Panel considered the report of the Monitoring Officer concerning a complaint from a member of the public on the conduct of Councillor A in relation to a telephone conversation on 25 April 2016.

The Panel took into consideration the view of the Independent Person which was provided at the meeting. The Panel noted the Independent Person’s view that the case appeared to involve a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct and should be investigated further.

The Panel concluded that there was sufficient evidence to indicate a breach of paragraphs 7 and 9 of the Members’ Code of Conduct outlined below:

7.    “You must promote and support high standards of conduct when serving in your public post, in particular as characterised by the above requirements, by leadership and example.”

9.    “You must treat others with respect. This means treating people fairly and equitably and with courtesy, compassion and sensitivity. You should treat other people equally as you yourself would expect to be treated. You must never use behaviour which a reasonable person would consider as offensive, overbearing, intimidating, malicious, insulting or humiliating.”

The Panel agreed that the case therefore warranted further investigation by the Monitoring Officer.

Resolved to investigate the complaint further with a view to a hearing of the Members’ Code of Conduct Committee in the near future.