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 be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items of business in acordance with Section 100(a) of the Local Government Act 1972:

-         Complaints under the Members’ Code of Conduct (Part 5(a) of the Leicestershire County Council Constitution) – Case A

-         Complaints under the Members' Code of Conduct (Part 5(a) of the Leicestershire County Council Constitution) – Case B

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 the Leicestershire County Council Constitution) – Case A

-         Complaint made under the Members' Code of Conduct (Part 5A of the Leicestershire County Council Constitution) – Case B

The Panel considered an exempt report of the Monitoring Officer setting out the outcome of the initial test and early assessment undertaken by her in respect of complaints 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 these 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The report was not for publication as it contained information relating to an  individual.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 Mr Gough, the Independent Person, to the meeting for this item.  Mr Gough outlined his view on the complaints received.

RESOLVED:

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

(b)  That the complaints received against the elected member be referred for investigation.

The Panel considered an exempt report of the Monitoring Officer setting out the outcome of the initial test and early assessment undertaken by her in respect of complaints 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 these 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 Mr Gough, the Independent Person, to the meeting for this item.  Mr Gough outlined his view on the complaints received.

RESOLVED:

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

(b)  That the complaints made against the elected member be referred for ‘other action’ and the member be requested to make a public apology which is to be published on the Council’s website;

(c)   That should the member choose not to undertake the action set out in (b) above within a reasonable timescale, the matter be referred for investigation.