Issue - meetings

This report provides a summary of the complaints received and determined which were made against councillors for alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct.

The Standards Committee has a duty to consider an annual report and to promote and maintain high standards of conduct.

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 'B’ to these Minutes in the Minute Book.

This report provided a summary of the complaints received and determined which were made against Councillors for alleged breaches of the Code of Conduct.

The Committee considered the report and made the following comments:

·       The Committee was advised that the complainant type marked as ‘other’ in the report referred to members of the public that were representing an organisation when lodging a Code of Conduct Complaint. 

·       In response to a query raised regarding the increase in Code of Conduct Complaints made by members of the public, the Committee was advised that there has not been a change in how the complaints are dealt with or how the process was advertised. Although, some of the complaints that were included in the report related to the same incident that was reported by multiple parties. The Committee was advised that the increase could be due to social media-related complaints, as well as the pre-election period last year which may have heightened aspects of political sensitivity leading to complaints.

·       The Committee acknowledged those members of the public engaging with the Code of Conduct Complaints process and highlighted how positive it was.

·       In response to a query raised regarding the increased workload for Democratic Services as a result of the increase in Code of Conduct Complaints, the Committee was advised that the complaints were managed by the Monitoring Officer and the Deputy Monitoring Officer. This was to ensure confidentiality throughout the process and to make sure Democratic Services Officers were not affected by these complaints in their day-to-day job roles.

·       In response to a query raised regarding the procedure to identify subject Councillors at Full Council and whether it would be considered as part of the review, the Committee was advised that this would be included as part of the review. The review would not be restricted and would allow the Committee to share any ideas they would like included as a part of the review.

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed to amend  Recommendations as follows:

That:

b) A review of standard procedure be commenced as soon as possible. Aiming for implementation for the new municipal year. And to formally offer our thanks to the independent person for their work and support on the Standards Committee.

RESOLVED that

a)    the annual report on code of conduct complaints be reviewed and any areas for further work be identified for inclusion in the work programme.

b)    A review of standard procedure be commenced as soon as possible. Aiming for implementation for the new municipal year. And to formally offer our thanks to the independent person for their work and support on the Standards Committee.

Voting: Unanimous