Issue - meetings

This report provides Members with an update on complaints regarding alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct against councillors received or concluded since the last meeting in October 2021.

The Committee is responsible for maintaining high standards of conduct by Members of BCP Council and the Town and Parish Councils, monitoring the operation of the Code of Conduct, and considering the outcome of commissioned independent investigations.

The Head of Democratic Services presented a report, a copy of which had been circulated to each Member and a copy of which appears as Appendix 'A' to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

The Committee was reminded of its responsibility for maintaining high standards of conduct by Members of BCP Council and the Town and Parish Councils, monitoring the operation of the Code of Conduct, and considering the outcome of commissioned independent investigations.

The process for consideration of complaints was set out and the Committee was advised that the arrangements now also included an initial filtering process to be undertaken by the Monitoring Officer with the aim of identifying a mutually agreeable remedy as an alternative, where possible, to preceding through the formal process.

The Committee was provided with an update on complaints alleging breaches of the Code of Conduct against Councillors received or concluded since the last meeting in October 2021.

It was noted that certain specific detailed information regarding pending complaints had not been provided where to do so might be prejudicial to the conduct of the ongoing complaints process. Similarly, unless specific direction to the contrary had been expressed, personal details had also not been included to protect both the identity of Councillors and the complainant.

The Committee received the following updates on specific complaints which had arisen since publication of the schedule of complaints set out with the agenda. In respect of complaint reference BCP-039, it was noted that an apology had been made to the complainant in accordance with the previous decision of the Committee and the case had now been closed. In respect of complaint reference BCP-067, it was reported that the additional information requested from the complainant by the Monitoring Officer by the end of January remained outstanding and was being pursued.  In respect of complaint reference TPC-006, it was noted that the Monitoring Officer had decided that the complaint could be resolved through an apology.

The Committee considered the full schedule of complaints and

RESOLVED that the outcome of concluded complaints and the progress of those still outstanding be noted.

Voting: Unanimous