Agenda and minutes

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

Councillor Bray for Councillor Hollick

Councillor O’Shea for Councillor Allen.

It was moved by Councillor Crooks, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2023 be confirmed as a correct record.

No interests were declared.

Members are asked to note the report.

The committee received the workforce employment monitoring report for 2022/23 which included the positive reduction in the gender pay gap. It was moved by Councillor Cartwright, seconded by Councillor Bray and

RESOLVED – the report and the reduction in the gender pay gap be noted.

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 Bray seconded by Councillor Cartwright, 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.

The Monitoring Officer updated members on two complaints considered at a previous meeting whereby the requested apologies had not been offered to the complainants and the subject members had not attended the recommended training. Members felt that, given the government’s view that members should be accountable to the electorate, the subject members’ failure to carry out the requested actions should be publicised so the electorate could make an informed decision. It was moved by Councillor Cartwright and seconded by Councillor R Allen that a report be brought to the next meeting with the options available for publicising. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – a report be brought back to the following meeting.

Members gave consideration to a complaint about a parish councillor. In considering the complaint, they had also received copies of emails from the subject member to the Monitoring Officer and expressed concern about the language and threats contained within the emails. The Monitoring Officer confirmed that they did not wish to make a complaint about the content of the emails, however members felt that the matter was so serious that it should be pursued.

In discussing the complaint itself, members considered whether the subject member had been acting in their capacity as councillor at the time and concluded that, given the repeated reference to the parish council in the context of the messages, the code of conduct had been engaged.

It was moved by Councillor Allen and seconded by Councillor Bray that an external investigator be appointed to investigate the complaint and that they also be provided with the emails from the subject member to the Monitoring Officer to include in the investigation. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was CARRIED and it was

RESOLVED – the complaint be referred for investigation, which would include the emails sent to the Monitoring Officer.

The committee considered a complaint about a borough councillor, including a statement from the councillor that was circulated prior to the meeting. Concern was expressed that there were similarities with a previous complaint about the same subject member, but members were advised that this complaint must be considered in isolation. Members highlighted the conflicting statements between the witnesses and the subject member and felt that the matter should be investigated. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Allen and

RESOLVED – the complaint be referred for investigation.

This complaint was deferred to allow additional time for the subject member to respond.