Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Lynch, with the substitution of Councillor Bools authorised in accordance with council procedure rule 10.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 13 August 2025 be confirmed as a correct record.

Councillor Bools stated he was an attendee at the meeting referred to in complaint 2025/09 but did not take part and did not therefore have an interest to declare.

Councillor Cartwright declared a personal interest in complaint 2025/04 and confirmed that he would leave the meeting during consideration of the item.

Councillor Green declared a personal interest in complaint 2025/10 and confirmed she would leave the meeting during consideration of the 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 Cartwright seconded by Councillor Bray, 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.

It was reported that, as result of the hearing relating to complaint 2024/26 at the previous meeting, the subject member had submitted a written apology to the complainant and had therefore met the requirements of the committee.

Consideration was given to a complaint about a parish councillor which alleged bullying and victimisation. Members felt that the seriousness of the allegations warranted an investigation. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor J Crooks and

RESOLVED – the complaint be referred for investigation.

Having declared an interest in the following item, Councillor Cartwright left the meeting at 6.42pm.

The committee considered a complaint about a borough councillor, alleging they had misled councillors and the public. Members felt that some of the matters raised in the complaint were for other agencies and that the committee was not in place nor able to make medical diagnoses. They felt the complainant had wasted officers’ and members’ time and public money in making a politically motivated complaint.

It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor W Crooks and

RESOLVED – no further action be taken.

Having declared an interest in the following item, Councillor Green left the meeting at 7.01pm.

Councillor Cartwright returned to the meeting at 7.02pm.

Councillor Pendlebury, as vice-chair, took the chair at this juncture.

Members received a report which contained details of two complaints from three complainants about a parish councillor, and a counter-complaint from the parish councillor. The first two complaints (2025/09 and 2025/10) alleged aggression and rudeness at a meeting (which had resulted in police reports) and failure to declare membership of a political party when directly asked.

Members expressed concern that there had been several complaints about the subject member over recent years but the councillor had not complied with resolutions of this committee and had continued to behave poorly and therefore undertaking an investigation would be a waste of public money.

It was highlighted that the leader of the subject member’s alleged national party had expressed the need to improve the behaviour of its members, and suggested that he should be informed of the continued poor behaviour of the subject member as one of his party members. Members also felt that a general reminder should be sent to the parish council to ensure register of interest forms were kept up to date.

In relation to complaints 2025/09 and 2025/10, it was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor J Crooks and

RESOLVED –

(i)            Other action be taken by way of the chair writing to the party leader on behalf of the committee to inform them of their member’s repeated poor behaviour;

(ii)          The parish council be reminded to ask councillors to ensure register of interest forms are kept up to date.

In relation to complaint 2025/11 which alleged two parish councillors were deceiving the public by changing political allegiance since being elected, the committee believed no deception had taken place. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor W Crooks and

RESOLVED – No further action be taken.