Agenda and minutes

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously agreed that Dr. S. Hill CC be appointed Chairman of the meeting.

Dr. S. Hill CC – in the Chair

There were no declarations of interest.

The public are likely to excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business in accordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972:

-         Complaint made under the Members’ Code of Conduct (Part 5A of Leicestershire County Council’s Constitution)

It was moved by the Chairman, seconded and carried:

“That under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972 the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involved the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12(a) of the Local Government Act 1972:

-         Complaint made under the Members’ Code of Conduct (Part 5A of Leicestershire County Council’s Constitution)

The Panel considered an exempt report of the Monitoring Officer setting out the outcome of the initial test and early assessment of a complaint undertaken by her in respect of a complaint made about the conduct of an elected member.  The report indicated the available options to the Panel under the Council’s procedure for dealing with Member Conduct Complaints.  A copy of the report is filed with thee minutes.

The report was not for publication as it contained information relating to an individual.

The Monitoring Officer presented her report and responded to questions from the Panel.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Roberts, the independent person, to the meeting for this item.  Mrs Roberts outlined her view on the complaint received.

RESOLVED:

(a)  That the early assessment report of the Monitoring Officer be noted;

(b)  That the complaint made against the elected member be referred for ‘other action’ and the member be requested to make a heartfelt, public apology to the complainant, acknowledging that their social media post which formed the basis of the complaint was factually incorrect and breached the Code of Conduct;

(c)   That the apology put forward by the Member first be shared with the Panel to ensure this met the required standard;

(d)  That the apology be shared on all social media platforms where the original post had been made and on the County Council’s website.