Agenda and minutes

To confirm that Ms Janet Fraser will chair this meeting of the Assessment Sub-committee.

Ms Janet Fraser was confirmed as the Chairman for the meeting.

Members are asked to declare any interests in matters for consideration at the meeting.

There were no declarations of interest.

To report the result of an investigation regarding an alleged breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Sub-Committee considered the Investigating Officer’s report, commissioned on 21 December 2011, on the investigation into the complaint that a Councillor had breached the Code of Conduct.

RESOLVED that the complaint be not referred for further investigation or determination.

REASON:

The Sub-committee accepted in the light of the Investigating Officer’s report that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Committee will assess any allegations that a member of the Authority has failed, or may have failed, to comply with the Code of Conduct and either:

i. Refer the allegation to the Monitoring Officer, with an instruction that he arrange a formal investigation of the allegation, or direct that he arrange training, conciliation or such appropriate alternative steps as permitted by Regulations;

ii. Decide that no action should be taken in respect of the allegation; or

iii. Consider that the matters raised are not within the jurisdiction of the sub-committee.

A complaint had been received alleging a breach of Part 2 of the Code of Conduct and in particular paragraphs 8,9,10 and 12 which relate to the declaration of personal and prejudicial interests and their effect on a councillor’s ability to participate in a meeting.

RESOLVED that the complaint be not referred for further investigation or determination but that the following ‘other action’ be agreed,

Ø      That the Monitoring Officer be directed to require the councillor to attend upon the Monitoring Officer to review his recent declarations of interest and be advised as to his responsibilities as a Councillor when considering in future whether it is appropriate to make a declaration of interest and the nature of that interest.

Ø      That the Monitoring Officer be directed to ensure that the councillor attends all sessions of the training programme commencing in May 2012 for Members of the Planning Committee.

REASON The Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008 specifically provide that a referral for other action may consist of directions to the Monitoring Officer to arrange for a member to attend a training course and receive appropriate guidance.