Agenda and draft minutes

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillor Green, with Councillor L Mullaney substituting in accordance with council procedure rule 10. It was noted that there was an error on the agenda in that Councillor Bray had replaced Councillor Hollick on the committee and as vice-chair from 1 June 2024.

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

RESOLVED – the minutes of the meeting held on 20 May be confirmed as a correct record.

No interests were declared.

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 W Crooks, 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.

In relation to complaints 2023/15 and 2024/10 which were deferred at the previous meeting, it was noted that the subject member had now referred their complaint to the Local Government & Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). Whilst the complaint submitted to the LGSCO was about the handling of a code of conduct complaint, not the code of conduct complaint itself, the two were linked and consideration by the LGSCO was welcomed prior to deciding on action following non-compliance with the recommendation in relation to complaint 2023/15 and initial action in relation to complaint 2024/10. It was further noted that the subject member had submitted further information which would be shared with the committee when the items were brought back. It was reported that further complaints had been received about / from members of the same parish council and it was agreed that an update on all of those complaints be brought to the next meeting.

It was reported that the investigations into complaints 2024/01 and 2024/02 had now been concluded and breaches of the code of conduct had been found. A hearing was therefore required to consider any further action. It was agreed that the hearing be arranged for 5.30pm on 13 August, however if the Monitoring Officer was made aware that there would be several witnesses, a second date would be added to hear the cases separately.

Consideration was given to a complaint from four complainants about a parish councillor having been verbally abusive. It was noted that the councillor had apologised, but the parish council had voted to not accept the apology. Members recognised that discussions in meetings could become heated and frustration could sometimes lead to speaking inappropriately and, whilst not excusable, the subject member had acknowledged their error and apologised. They felt it was unhelpful of the parish council to have voted not to accept the apology. It was suggested that the subject member be encouraged to undertake training and further requested that all members of the same parish council be directed to the online code of conduct training due to the number of complaints about its members. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The parish council be informed that the committee feels the apology is acceptable;

(ii)          The subject member be encouraged to attend code of conduct training.

Members received a complaint from two complainants about a parish councillor (from the same parish council as in 2024/11, 13, 15 & 18 above) using inappropriate and offensive language. The committee agreed that the language was inappropriate and the member had crossed the line and should apologise. It was also suggested that the subject member be requested to attend code of conduct training and reiterated that all members of the parish council should attend. It was moved by Councillor Bray, seconded by Councillor Cartwright and

RESOLVED –

(i)            The subject member be requested to issue an apology;

(ii)          The subject member be requested to attend code of conduct training;

(iii)         The code of conduct training be extended to all members of the parish council.