Agenda and minutes

Please note: The Panel may consider any applications submitted for the exclusion of the public under 3(i) below, and then may decide to exclude the public from the meeting for consideration of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in appropriate paragraphs of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

There were no declarations of interest made at the meeting.

Resolved – It was agreed that a minor amendment be made to the procedure, with the councillor being written to following deliberation by the Hearings Panel.

(i)              Procedure at Hearing.

(ii)             Monitoring Officer’s Summary Report.

(iii)           Report of the Investigating Officer.

(iv)           Appendix 8 of the original complaint.

(v)      Assessment Panel Decision Record

(vi)     Standards Arrangements (including the Code of Conduct).

The Hearings Panel followed the set procedure, with the minor exception agreed in minute 345 (above).

Following submissions from the Investigating Officer, the Independent Person, and the councillor, the Hearings Panel retired to consider their conclusions and recommended steps.

Resolved – (a) That the Hearings Panel request that the Monitoring Officer relay their strongly-held view that Cllr Smith’s conduct was unacceptable and should not, under any circumstances, be repeated, (b) that this letter also be forwarded to the Clerk of Garthorpe and Fockerby Parish Council, with a recommendation that this should be publicly notified to all members of the council. The letter should also be included and published within the agenda and papers of the council’s next public meeting, and made accessible to any member of the public, (c) that the Panel also strongly recommends that Cllr Smith formally write to each of the complainants apologising for their conduct via Democratic Services; and (d) the Panel desisted recommending that Cllr Smith attend relevant training, given their voluntary participation in the recent training provided, but asked that the Monitoring Officer speak with Cllr Smith about this matter once they have had the opportunity to consider the contents of the letter.