Agenda and minutes

It was moved by Councillor Moore, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 18 February 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Hall declared a personal interest in complaints 2015/08, 09 and 10 (minute * refers) as the subject member. Councillors Inman, Lynch and Moore declared a personal interest which may lead to bias in the same item.

To consider the passing of a resolution under Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972 excluding the public from the undermentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act.

On the motion of Councillor Inman seconded by Councillor Moore, it was

RESOLVED – in accordance with section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

‘Fact finding’ report attached.

A fact finding report was presented to the committee. It was moved by Councillor Moore, seconded by Councillor Lynch and

RESOLVED – complaint 2015-02 be referred to the Monitoring Officer for investigation.

‘Fact finding’ report attached.

The committee received a fact finding report in relation to complaint 2015-05. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

RESOLVED – the matter be referred for investigation by the Monitoring Officer.

‘Fact finding’ report attached.

Members received a fact finding report which alleged that a member had failed to comply with the Nolan Principles, failed to maintain a respectful and courteous relationship and not acted in the public interest during a telephone conversation with the complainant. It was reported that the possibility of informal resolution had been explored, but the complainant felt that the allegations were too serious for this to be appropriate.

The committee felt that the subject member was entitled to express a personal opinion in her conversation with the complainant and in doing so had acted in an open and transparent manner and felt that a member should not be penalised for holding a personal view which may differ from someone else’s. It was moved by Councillor Lynch, seconded by Councillor Moore and

RESOLVED – no further action be taken in respect of complaint 2015-07.

‘Fact finding’ report attached – please note these three complaints are all related and are therefore contained within one report.

Having declared a personal interest which may lead to bias in this item, Councillors Hall left the meeting at 11am and following a discussion with the Monitoring Officer Councillors Inman, Lynch and Moore left at 11.05am.

The meeting no longer being quorate with one member remaining, the fact finding report relating to complaints 2015-08, 09 and 10 could not be considered and it was noted that this would be deferred to a future meeting.

Councillors Inman, Lynch and Moore returned to the meeting at 11.10am.