Issue - meetings

Initial complaint report attached.

Exempt in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 10.

This item was exempt in accordance with paragraphs 1 and 10.

The committee considered a complaint which alleged that a parish councillor had breached the code of conduct by using aggressive and unnecessary language in a text message.

Members agreed that the subject member had been acting in their capacity as councillor when the exchange took place. They also had copies of the messages as evidence and therefore felt that no further investigation was required as it was clear that the language used was in breach of the code of conduct. The response from the subject member was taken into account but it was felt that this didn’t mitigate the language used and it was unacceptable for a councillor to use such language regardless of the circumstances.

It was moved by Councillor J Crooks and seconded by Councillor Walker that the subject member be asked to apologise and to attend training, and should they not do so, the decision notice would be published. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was unanimously

RESOLVED –

(i)            The subject member be requested to apologise;

(ii)          The subject member be requested to attend suitable training;

(iii)         Should compliance with (i) and (ii) above not be forthcoming, the decision notice be published.

Councillor Allen returned to the meeting at 7.04pm and, having declared a personal interest in the following item, Councillor O’Shea left at 7.05pm.