Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies for absence received.

At this point Members must declare whether they have a disclosable pecuniary interest, or other interest, in any of the items on the agenda, unless it is already entered in the register of members’ interests or is a “pending notification “ that has been disclosed to the Solicitor to the Council.

There were no declarations of interests.

In accordance with Standing Orders, Members are requested to vote to exclude the press and public for item 4. This contains exempt information relating to an individual as defined by Paragraph 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972, item 4 ‘Information relating to any individual’ and ‘Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual’. The public interest in disclosing this information outweighs the public interest in maintaining the exemption.

In accordance with Standing Orders, Members were requested to vote to exclude the press and public for item 4. The item contained exempt information relating to an individual as defined by Paragraph 1 and 2 of Schedule 12A of Part 1 of the Local Government Act 1972, item 4 ‘Information relating to any individual’ and ‘Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual’.  The public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing this information.

RESOLVED

The Hearings Panel unanimously agreed that the press and public would be excluded for item 4 Matters Referred by the Monitoring Officer.

Consider whether an Elected Member complaint ought to be investigated.

As agreed at agenda item 4, the meeting moved into exempt session.

The Monitoring Officer introduced the report which outlined a complaint matter which had been referred to the Hearings Panel – Sub Committee to the Audit Committee for consideration and sought a decision over whether the complaint received should be referred for investigation.  The Panel was also asked to consider and confirm if they were able to offer a fair hearing, should one be required, subject to the outcome of the investigation. 

At this point the Hearings Panel moved out of exempt session in order to provide a decision over the Monitoring Officer’s recommendation.

RESOLVED

The Hearings Panel unanimously agreed that having considered the Monitoring Officer’s recommendation, including the legal advice given that:

1.         The matter was significant enough to warrant an investigation; and

2.         The Hearings Panel could conduct a fair hearing for the Elected Member and would not be predetermined in reaching a decision.