Agenda and minutes

Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee - Wednesday, 30 September 2015 10.30 am

Venue: De Montfort Suite, Hinckley Hub. View directions

Contact: Rebecca Owen, Democratic Services Officer 

Items
No. Item

193.

Apologies and substitutions

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 Rules 4.2 and 4.3:

 

Councillor Ladkin for Councillor Camamile

Councillor Hollick for Councillor Cartwright

Councillor Richards for Councillor O’Shea.

 

194.

Minutes of previous meeting pdf icon PDF 51 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Minutes:

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

 

                        RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 17 July 2015 be confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

195.

Declarations of interest

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.

Minutes:

No interests were declared at this stage.

196.

Matters from which the public may be excluded

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.

Minutes:

On the motion of Councillor Wallace seconded by Councillor Cook, 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 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of that Act.

197.

Complaint 2015/11-14

Fact finding report attached.

Minutes:

Members received a report summarising a complaint made against a councillor. Whilst members appreciated the comment made was not helpful, there was a general consensus that the subject member did not breach the code of conduct. It was moved by Councillor Witherford, seconded by Councillor Cook and

 

                        RESOLVED – the officer’s recommendation be supported and no further action be taken.

 

Councillor Richards wished it to be recorded that she abstained from voting.

198.

Complaints 2015/16-19 and 22-25

Fact finding report attached.

Minutes:

Members were presented with an investigative report surrounding a complaint and counter-complaint involving members of Ratby Parish Council.

 

The Monitoring Officer reported that Councillor K Hunnybun’s behaviour breached the Parish Council’s Code of Conduct; however as Councillor K Hunnybun is keen to apologise, she was of the view that appropriate steps had been taken to remedy the situation. It was also heard that there was nothing to substantiate the counter-claims made by Cllrs Hunnybun that Councillors Tasker, Joyce and O’Shea (Mrs) had breached the Code of Conduct and therefore no further action was required for either matter.

 

There was widespread acceptance amongst members that Councillor K Hunnybun had breached the Code of Conduct but concern was expressed as to what more the subject Councillor could do to remedy the situation.

 

Concern was also heard on whether preventative measures were in place to prevent such incidents from occurring and that Councillor K Hunnybun needed warning of his future conduct.

 

Notwithstanding the officer’s first recommendation, it was moved by Councillor Richards, seconded by Councillor Wallace and

 

                        RESOLVED – the matter be referred to the Monitoring Officer for other action, which may include mediation or other dispute resolution techniques.

 

Regarding the second recommendation in relation to the counter-complaint, it was moved by Councillor Wallace, seconded by Councillor Witherford and

 

                        RESOLVED – the officer’s recommendation be supported and no further action need be taken.