Agenda and minutes

Apologies were submitted on behalf of Councillors Camamile and Lynch, with the following substitutions authorised in accordance with Council Procedure Rule 4.4:

Councillor Bray for Councillor Lynch

Councillor Ward for Councillor Camamile.

To receive verbally from members any disclosures which they are required to make in accordance with the Council’s code of conduct or in pursuance of Section 106 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992. This is in addition to the need for such disclosure to be also given when the relevant matter is reached on the agenda.

In the interests of openness and transparency, Councillor O’Shea declared an interest in agenda item 9.

Councillor Bill entered the meeting at 10.31am.

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act.

On the motion of Councillor Inman seconded by Councillor O’Shea, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 2, 3 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

A fact finding report relating to the above complaint is attached, along with supporting information (including the relevant Parish Council’s Code of Conduct).

The Monitoring Officer presented her fact finding report and recommendations to the Committee. It was felt that whilst the subject member was foolish in his choice of words, he made an adequate public apology and his comments did not constitute a breach of the code of conduct. On the motion of Councillor Bill, seconded by Councillor Moore, it was

RESOLVED – therefore no further action be taken.

A fact finding report relating to the above complaint is attached.

Having declared an interest in this item, Councillor O’Shea left the meeting at 10.33am.

The Monitoring Officer reported that as part of the fact-finding work she had spoken to the complainants and subject members. Whilst in support of the Monitoring Officer’s recommendation that the comments published could not be attributed to the subject members, it was felt that Members generally needed to be made aware that authors needed to ensure that they weren’t compromising a councillor’s integrity and despite different political opinions they must still treat each other with respect.

RESOLVED – no breach of the code of conduct had occurred and therefore no action be taken.

Councillor O’Shea returned to the meeting at the conclusion of this item.

A fact finding report and associated information relating to the above complaint is attached.

The Monitoring Officer presented a fact finding report and also stated that she had proposed an informal resolution by way of a press release apologising for the error, which had not been taken up.

Some members felt that the language used in the press release was inflammatory and may have been upsetting for the family involved, whilst other members were of the opinion that whilst more consideration could have been given to the words used, the information was not inaccurate. All members agreed, however, that advice should be given about taking care not to misrepresent information.

It was suggested that the subject member be asked to apologise, and requested that he be informed that failure to do so may result in a further complaint on that basis. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Hall and

RESOLVED – alternative action be taken by way of asking the subject member to provide an apology to the subject of the press release and the Council.