Agenda and minutes

Consideration was given to the report circulated which detailed a request for a dispensation in respect of all affected members in relation to an anticipated motion to be discussed at the Council meeting on the 27^th January, 2016.

The motion was in relation to the Trade Union Bill which was being considered by Parliament.  There was the potential that members who were Trade Union members or those that had received financial support from Trade Unions would be required to declare the interest and not participate in the debate.

The circumstances on which the Standards Committee may grant a dispensation were outlined which must specify the period for which the dispensation had effect and must not exceed four years.

Having regard to the circumstances the Standards Committee were in agreement in granting a dispensation under Section 33 of the Localism Act.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the request for dispensation be approved.

(2)  That the grounds on which the dispensation was approved related to the fact that without the dispensation the number of persons prohibited from participating in the particular business would be so great a proportion of the body transacting the business that it would impede the actual transaction of the business.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th September, 2015.

With regards to Minute No. 22 (Outcome of the Standards Hearing Panel) it was noted the Parish Council in question had considered the recommendations of the Standards Hearing Panel and had agreed to formal censure the Parish Councillor concerned, but had not upheld the recommendations in respect of removal from outside bodies or sub-committees.

Resolved:-  That the minutes of the meeting held on 10^th September, 2015 be approved as a correct record.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the Standards Committee Working Group on 1^st October and 19^th November, 2015.

The Chairman confirmed the final report was submitted to Council on the 9^th December, 2015 and was approved.  He wished to place on record his thanks and appreciation to all those involved in this good piece of work.

Resolved:-  (1)  That the contents of the minutes held on 1^st October and 19^th October, 2015 were noted.

(2)  That all those involved with the work of the Standard Committee Working Group be thanked for their support and input.

Consideration was given to the a report presented by Stuart Fletcher, Service Manager, which provided an update on the handling of complaints relating to breaches to the Code of Conduct and the subsequent steps taken, which included:-

·             A complaint was received that a Borough Councillor had not followed appropriate procedures in a Council meeting, by not passing a resolution excluding press and public from the meeting. The complainant alleged that the member had thereby breached the Code of Conduct by bringing the officer of Councillor or the Council into disrepute.

Representations were received by the member in question and relevant documentary evidence was examined.

The views of the Independent Person were taken. He felt that on the balance of probabilities the appropriate resolution was passed. The Monitoring Officer considered these views and concurred with this conclusion and taking all of the circumstances of the complaint into account, decided that the complaint should not be investigated further. The complainant and member have been informed of this decision.

·             A complaint was received that a Parish Councillor made a derogatory comment that Standards Committee proceedings which he had been subject to were "a shambles" and a "kangaroo court".

The matter was referred to the Independent Person for his views who felt that there was little doubt that the words had been said, but that the Parish Councillor was acting in his personal capacity at the time and therefore the Code of Conduct was not invoked.

The Monitoring Officer concurred with this view and, therefore, the Complainant and Parish Councillor were written to informing them of this decision.

·             A complaint was received from a member of the public that a Parish Councillor was rude and threatening to him in a Parish Council meeting. The views of the Independent Person were requested and after reviewing the relevant evidence, which included listening to a recording of the relevant Parish Council meeting, he concluded that there had been provocation of the Parish Councillor by the Complainant and that the remarks were made under duress.

As such the Independent Person felt that due to the circumstances of the case there should be no further investigation.

The Monitoring Officer concurred with this view and complainant and the Parish Councillor were written to informing them of this decision. The complainant had subsequently submitted further information in relation to this matter and asked that the issue be reviewed. Further the complainant had submitted a further complaint in relation to the same Parish Councillor and the Monitoring Officer was liaising with the complainant to try to fully establish the relevant issues in that matter. A further update on these matters would be provided at the next meeting.

·             A complaint had been received that a Parish Councillor called a member of the public corrupt in the presence of a number of other Parish Councillors and members of the public.

The views of the relevant Parish Councillor have been sought, but none have been provided as yet. The details of the complaints have  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

Consideration was given to report presented by Stuart Fletcher, Service, Manager, which proposed the Work Plan for the Standards Committee for the year 2016.

In terms of the updates required it was suggested that the Training Plan be submitted for consideration at the September meeting rather than in March given the possibility of changes following the election in May, 2016.

It was also noted that general complaints were not included as part of the work plan as these were already considered elsewhere.

Resolved:-  That the proposed Work Plan be approved, subject to any further amendments made by the Committee.

Resolved:-  That the next meeting of the Standards Committee take place on Thursday, 10^th March, 2016 at 2.00 p.m.