Agenda and minutes

RESOLVED:

That Mr Mike Galvin be appointed as Chair for the meeting.

The Chair welcomed those present and led on introductions.

There were no apologies for absence.

Members will be asked to declare any interests they have in the business to be discussed.

Members were asked to declare any interests they may have in the business to be discussed.

There were no declarations of interest.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC TO NOTE

Under the law, the Committee is entitled to consider certain items in private. Members of the public will be asked to leave the meeting when such items are discussed.

The Committee is recommended to consider the following reports in private on the grounds that they contain ‘exempt’ information as defined by the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, as amended and consequently that the Cabinet makes the following resolution: -

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following reports in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because they involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 1

Information relating to any individual

Paragraph 2

Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual

Paragraph 7a

Information which is subject to any obligation of confidentiality.

Paragraph 7c

The deliberations of a standards committee or of a sub-committee of a standards committee established under the provisions of Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000 in reaching any finding on a matter referred under the provisions of section 60(2) or (3), 64(2), 70(4) or (5) or 71(2) of that Act.

RESOLVED:

“that the press and public be excluded during consideration of the following report in accordance with the provisions of Section 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended, because it would involve the likely disclosure of 'exempt' information, as defined in the Paragraphs detailed below of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act and taking all the circumstances into account, it is considered that the public interest in maintaining the information as exempt outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

Paragraph 1

Information relating to any individual.

Paragraph 2

Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

Paragraph 7

The deliberations of a standards committee or of a sub-committee of a standards committee established under the provisions of Part 3 of the Local Government Act 2000 in reaching a finding on a matter referred under the provisions of section 60(2) or (3), 64(2), 70(4), or 5 or 71(2) of that Act.

Paragraph 7A

Information which is subject to any obligation of confidentiality.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer submits a report to enable the Committee to consider the materials available in respect of a Code of Conduct complaint against a Councillor.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer submitted a report asking the Board to consider a complaint made in 2025 and to determine the next steps in relation to the complaint.

The Deputy Monitoring Officer provided a detailed overview of the complaint received on 9^th October 2025. The Deputy Monitoring Officer told the Board that she had consulted with Mr Michael Edwards as an Independent Person in accordance with the procedures for the investigation of complaints against Members.

The Board were advised that procedurally they were obliged to consider the matter, and to take one of two possible actions; 1) to take no further action. 2) to refer the matter a Hearing Panel for further findings to be made.

It was noted that upon being referred for hearing, then a hearing sub-committee would be convened to hear the evidence, make findings of fact and determine appropriate outcomes.

The Board considered the findings in the report and were in agreement that the report raised breaches which should be referred to a Hearing Panel.

RESOLVED:

That the complaint referenced be referred to a meeting of the Standards Hearing Sub-Committee.

There being no other urgent business, the meeting closed at 5:21pm.