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 report to the Committee in October 2023.

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.

This report provided Members with an update on complaints regarding alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct against Councillors received or concluded since the last report to the Committee in October 2023.

The Committee reviewed the table of complaints setting out, in each case, the nature of the complaint and, where applicable, the Monitoring Officer’s assessment, the decision of the Chair and the current status of the complaint.

The Committee considered the Code of Conduct Complaints Review and made the following comments:

• The Committee was advised that the deadlines and timeframes for responses from Members would be included in the reports going forward. It was confirmed to the Committee that the subject Member of a complaint had fourteen days to respond to the complaint once they had been informed.
• In response to a query raised regarding the three months given for gathering extra information, the Committee was advised that three months was the timeframe traditionally given to Members. Although it could sometimes assist in information gathering and the closing of complaints, it was advised that the timeframe could be considered as part of the review.
• In response to a query raised regarding the possible delay in dealing with code of conduct complaints during the transition between monitoring officers, the Committee was advised that the transition only affected two complaints and the complainants were informed of the delay as well as the process. 

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

Voting: Unanimous