Agenda and draft minutes

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

There were none.

The Committee received a verbal update from the Monitoring Officer on the progress of complaints against Councillors submitted in the last 12 months.

The Monitoring Officer was asked to update her report table going forward to include a date when the complaints were passed to the Investigation Officer so they could see where, if any, delays occurred.

The Committee resolved to note the progress on Councillor complaints.

To make a recommendation to Council that they agree the re-appointment of the Council’s current Independent Persons and the appointment of two additional Independent Persons for a four year term of office, expiring May 2027.

The Committee considered a report from the Monitoring Officer on the appointments of independent persons for 2023-2027.

The Committee were advised that the Council needed to comply with its obligations under Section 28(7) of the Localism Act 2011 that required Councils to seek the view of an Independent Person before it reaches a final decision on any allegation of misconduct by a councillor or dismissal or disciplinary procedures against the Head of Paid Service, Monitoring Officer or Chief Finance Officer. 

The Monitoring Officer advised the Committee that there was a joint appointment arrangement with other Surrey Authorities, including Surrey County Council, and that the vacancy for Independent Persons was advertised on each participating Council’s websites and a number were invited for interview.

The following three candidates were recommended for re-appointment:

a)    Vivienne Cameron

b)    Bill Donnelly

c)    John Smith

and that the following two new candidates were recommended for appointment:

a)    Andrea Armstrong

b)    Jane Clarke

The Committee resolved to agree the re-appointment of three of the existing Independent Persons and the appointment for the two new Independent Person for a four year term of office expiring in May 2027.

To move the exclusion of the Press/Public for the following item, in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of Paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985 and by the Local Government (Access to information) (Variation) Order 2006.

It was proposed by Councillor Boughtflower and Seconded by Councillor  Sider and resolved that the public and press be excluded during consideration of the following item in accordance with paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended) because it contains personal information of the individuals concerned.

To receive an update on the outcome of the complaint against Councillor D.

The Committee considered a report from the Monitoring Officer concerning the outcome of a Member Complaint against Councillor D.

The Committee resolved to note the report.