Agenda item

Documentation enclosed as follows:

The Deputy County Solicitor and Deputy Monitoring Officer presented the Assessment Sub-Committee with the following documentation;

·         Constitution - Part 6a (Code of Personal Conduct) Members Code of Conduct 

·         Guidance/Procedural Note for the Assessment Determination of Allegations of Breaches of the Code of Conduct for Members

·         Initial Complaints

·         Independent Person’s Comments

·         Subject Member - Response to Complaints

relating to four complaints received on an alleged breach of the Members Code of Conduct.

The Sub-Committee considered all of the documentation referred to above with a view to determining whether or not, on the basis of the evidence available and the views of the Independent Person (in accordance with the Council's procedures) it agreed with their proposed course of action or whether they would wish to pursue or agree some other course of action.

The Sub Committee noted the views of the Independent Person and their recommendation that the matter should be subject to a formal investigation. The Sub Committee also formally disregarded the reference from the Independent Person to a previous incident concerning the same Subject Member.

In addition, the Sub Committee asked that the reference to an earlier issue concerning the role of Equality Reference Group be dealt with by Officers.

The Sub Committee also discussed whether proceeding to a formal investigation would bring any additional information over and above that already received from the Complainants and Subject Member.

It was MOVED by Councillor Connett, SECONDED by Councillor Colthorpe, and

RESOLVED that the views of the Independent Person be noted, but the Sub Committee exercise its discretion to suggest a different course of action to that of a formal investigation and ask Officers to bring a Report to the next meeting of the Standards Committee based on the information already submitted, notwithstanding the Subject Member must have the opportunity to comment on any draft and final Report.

(in line with the Procedure agreed under Standards Minute *18, Mrs Saltmarsh asked that her support for the approved resolution be recorded)