Issue - meetings

Initial report attached.

Consideration was given to a complaint alleging that a borough councillor had breached the code of conduct by failing to declare an interest and bullying by intervening in plans for development.

It was noted that one of the two members mentioned in the complaint had been on Planning Committee when the application in question was discussed but had declared an interest and left the meeting. The subject member was not a member of the Planning Committee.

Councillor Bray, whilst minded to take no further action, proposed that the Monitoring Officer speak to the case officer first to consider whether the subject member had made any comments in relation to the relevant planning applications. If they had not made comment, the complaint would be closed, and if they had made comments, the complaint should be brought back to the Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee. Councillor Cartwright seconded the motion.

Members then gave further consideration to the ability for a member not on Planning Committee to influence a committee or a delegated decision and the actions available to the committee should it be discovered that comments had been made by the subject member. They felt that the influence would be very limited and a member who had been at the meeting in question stated that no attempt had been made to influence them or any other member. The Monitoring Officer also reported to members that discussion had taken place with the Head of Planning when the complaint was first received and no impropriety had been reported. After consulting with the Independent Person, Councillors Bray and Cartwright subsequently withdrew their motion.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cook and

RESOLVED – no further action be taken.