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Title |
Standards Hearing Sub-Committee determination |
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Purpose of the report |
To make a decision
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Report Author |
Linda Heron, Monitoring Officer |
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Ward(s) Affected |
All Wards
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Exempt |
No |
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Exemption Reason |
Not Applicable |
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Corporate Priority |
All priorities |
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Recommendations
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Council is asked to:
Censure Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos for her conduct in respect of the matters detailed by the Investigator in her reports to the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee meeting of 10 April 2025.
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Reason for Recommendation |
The Standards Hearing Sub-Committee has considered two complaints made against Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos and recommended that Council censures her having found that there had been several breaches of the Members Code of Conduct.
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1. Summary of the report
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What is the situation |
Why we want to do something |
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• At its meeting on 10 April Standards Hearing Sub-Committee considered two reports by the Investigator. |
• The Council has agreed a procedure for considering complaints. |
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This is what we want to do about it |
These are the next steps |
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• To advise the Council of the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee determination. |
• The Council is invited to pass a formal motion of censure. |
1.1 This report seeks to advise the Council of the recommendation made by the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee at its meeting on 10 April 2025.
1.2 The report to the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee (including the Investigator’s reports) is attached in Appendix 1 and will be reported at the next Standards Committee meeting in the usual way.
2. Key issues
2.1 The Standards Hearing Sub-Committee considered reports by the Investigator into two separate complaints submitted against Councillor Denise Saliagopoulos
2.2 The complaints were considered in accordance with the agreed complaints procedure.
2.3 An Investigator was appointed to carry out an investigation. Following the investigation, the Investigator concluded that, in all the circumstances of the cases, there have been failures to comply with the Members Code of Conduct:
(a) Para 1.1 – treat other councillors and members of the public with respect
(b) Para 2.3 – promote equalities and do not discriminate unlawfully against any person
(c) Para 5.1 – do not bring role of a councillor or local authority into disrepute
(d) Para 8.2 – cooperate with any Code of Conduct investigation and / or determination
2.4 The Sub-Committee agreed that there had been breaches of the Member Code of Conduct as set out in para 2.3.
2.5 The Sub-Committee considered the following actions:
· Request an apology by the Member;
· Formal censure by motion
· Press release or other appropriate publicity
· Recommendation to the Member’s Group Leader to remove the Member from the Committee(s)
2.6 The Sub-Committee resolved as follows:
· Council be invited to pass a formal motion of censure against Cllr Denise Saliagopoulos, and
· the Group Leader of the Council’s Conservative Group be requested to remove Cllr Denise Saliagopoulos from the seat on the Investigating and Disciplinary Committee
3. Options analysis and proposal
3.1 The Council has the following options:
3.2 To censure Cllr Saliagopoulos; or
3.3 Not to censure Cllr Saliagopoulos.
4. Financial management comments
There are no financial implications arising directly from this report.
5. Risk management comments
There are no risk management implications arising directly from this report.
6. Procurement comments
There are no procurement implications arising directly from this report.
7. Legal comments
7.1 The Localism Act 2011 imposes a statutory duty on the Council to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by members and co-opted members of the Council.
7.2 The Council has in place procedures for the investigations of potential breaches of the Code of Conduct Making a complaint against a councillor - Spelthorne Borough Council.
8. Other considerations
There may be reputational considerations.
9. Equality and Diversity
As set out in the Investigator’s reports.
10. Sustainability/Climate Change Implications
There are none arising directly from this report.
11. Timetable for implementation
To be confirmed by the Council.
12. Contact
12.1 Linda Heron, Group Head Corporate Governance and Monitoring Officer l.heron@spelthorne.gov.uk
Background papers:
None
Appendices:
Appendix 1
Standards Hearing Sub-Committee 10 April 2025 – Determination of the complaints against a Councillor