Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors Camamile, Cartwright and O’Shea, with the following substitutions authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10:

Councillor Hall for Councillor Camamile;

Councillor Lynch for Councillor Cartwright.

Mr Grimes, Independent Person, also submitted apologies but had sent comments on the code of conduct complaints to the Democratic Services Officer to be read out to the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2018 be confirmed and signed by the chairman.

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.

No interests were declared at this stage.

To present options to recruit and develop the council’s trainee workforce.

A package of options to recruit and develop the council’s trainee workforce was presented to members. The committee was informed that it had been suggested at the Scrutiny Commission meeting that the word ‘internships’ had negative connotations and that consideration should be given to using an alternative word. Some members of the Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee agreed that an alternative word should be sought, and it was also suggested that the term ‘paid internships’ could be used instead.

The opportunity for people with a disability to apply for an apprenticeship, as with any other role in the authority, was discussed and encouraged.

It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

RESOLVED – the abovementioned suggestions for alternative wording be put to the Executive and the report be welcomed.

Verbal update on complaints progress.

It was reported that all outstanding complaints were on the agenda for this meeting.

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, 2 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act.

On the motion of Councillor Morrell seconded by Councillor Crooks, 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 1, 2 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

Fact finding report attached.

Consideration was given to a fact finding report into three identical complaints about a borough councillor. It was noted that the subject member had issued an apology to the complainants which had not been accepted. A member asked why the subject member had asked the Monitoring Officer to pass on her apology and not apologised directly to the complainants, and in response it was noted that officers would not pass on contact details of complainants due to data protection. It was suggested that, in future, this could be handled differently, for example requesting permission to pass on details, so the apology could be made directly.

It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

RESOLVED – No further action be taken in respect of complaints 2017/04, 05 & 06.

Investigation report attached.

The committee received an investigation report into complaint 2018/01 which alleged that a parish councillor had taken part in discussion on a matter in which he had a personal interest and had not obtained a dispensation to take part.

At this juncture, Councillor Crooks stated that he had been in attendance for part of the meeting in which the alleged incident occurred. He undertook to take no further part in the discussion or vote thereon.

It was felt that there had been a breach of the code of conduct, but that a hearing would not provide any additional information. It was suggested that code of conduct training would be helpful for the subject member. It was also felt that, should the subject member not comply with this resolution, the matter be brought back to the committee as a further breach and as part of a public report.

It was moved by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Morrell and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The member has breach the code of conduct;

(ii)           The matter be referred to the Monitoring Officer to source code of conduct training for the member;

(iii)          Should the member not attend the training provided, the matter be brought back to the Ethical Governance & Personnel Committee.