Issue - meetings

Complaint about a borough councillor.

Consideration was given to a complaint about a borough councillor having allegedly breached the code of conduct by breaching confidentiality and data protection by sharing information relating to a resident with a neighbour. It was noted that borough councillors were data controllers in their own right so the council could not refer the matter to the ICO, however the complainant was likely to have reported the matter to them.

Whilst it was acknowledged that the subject member had not denied having shared the information, members felt that an investigation may help to understand the reasons for the member’s actions. It was also felt that an investigation was necessary in order to show the complaint was being taken seriously because of the potential impact in undermining the relationship between councillors and residents.

It was moved by Councillor W Crooks, seconded by Councillor Hodgkins and

RESOLVED – the matter be referred for investigation.