Issue - meetings

The Monitoring Officer reported that there were two issues currently outstanding in relation to the conduct of District and Town/Parish Councillors.

The first issue concerned a complaint against a Parish Councillor and an alleged company partnership with an applicant of a planning application. The report of the Investigator had been received finding no breach of the Code of Conduct, but with a recommendation to review the advice regarding non-pecuniary interests. This had been completed and the report was the subject of the subsequent item on the agenda.

The second issue concerned the alleged bullying of staff by a Member in a local Council meeting. The assessment had been completed and the Monitoring Officer’s decision had been ‘Other Action’. This had consisted of a meeting with the Councillor concerned, the outcome of which was being awaited. It was hopeful that this issue would be resolved without the need for a formal investigation. The Deputy Monitoring Officer added that the Independent Member, Mr D Cooper, had been of great assistance during the assessment.

Resolved:

(1)        That the outstanding allegations made about the conduct of District and Town/Parish Councillors, and the steps taken in resolving the issues, be noted.