Agenda and minutes

An apology for absence was received from the Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ken Owen. 

To receive declarations of interest from Members on items included in the agenda.

Councillor Pickup declared that she knew one of the subject Members due to a former role.  This had been discussed with the Monitoring Officer who advised that Councillor Pickup had no inherent interest to declare.  There were no other declarations. 

To consider the minutes of the previous meeting held on 2^nd September 2020.

Resolved: that the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd September be agreed as a correct record. 

To resolve that the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items, because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 contained within Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Resolved: That the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following matters because it is likely that there will be disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The Panel considered the report of the Monitoring Officer.  The report outlined the action taken by the Monitoring Officer following the Panel’s previous decision that the Subject Member had breached the Code of Conduct.  The Panel considered the Decision Notice sent to the Subject Member and her response. 

Resolved: that the response of the Subject Member be noted and the matter is now closed. 

The Panel considered the report of the Monitoring Officer.  The report outlined the action taken by the Monitoring Officer following the Panel’s previous decision that the Subject Member may have breached the Code of Conduct but wanted to hear further from the Member before considering whether any action was appropriate.  The report presented information arising from discussions held between the Subject Member and Monitoring Officer. 

Resolved: that:

(a)  The Subject Member’s response as set out in the report, be noted;

(b)  The Monitoring Officer invite the Subject Member to apologise to the complainant;

(c)  The Parish Council be recommended to arrange training for its Members on the use of social media and equality and diversity; and

(d)  The Monitoring Officer update the Panel by email on the outcome of the the decisions above.

The Panel considered the report of the Monitoring Officer.  The report outlined the action taken by the Monitoring Officer following the Panel’s previous decision that the Subject Member had breached the Code of Conduct.  The Panel considered the correspondence between the Monitoring Officer and the Subject Member and the view of the Independent Person. 

Resolved: that

(a)  The response of the Subject Member be noted:

(b)  A formal investigation is not required and would not be in the public interest; and

(c)  The Monitoring Officer advise the Subject Member that no further action will be taken but that the Panel is displeased with both the conduct of the Member and the manner in which she has responded to the Panel.