Janet Fasan, Director of Legal and Interim Monitoring Officer, introduced the regular update report on recent complaints received in respect of the Members Code of Conduct. She reported that there were only two new complaints set out which was a significant drop from earlier in the year. In particular compared to the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic when there had been a spike in complaints.

One current complaint referred to a possible breach of the Covid restrictions by a Councillor. Exchanges were ongoing to establish whether there had been a breach in regulations. A second complaint related to an allegation of disruptive behaviour at a meeting. Investigations were ongoing and responses were awaited to questions from the Monitoring Officer. A third complaint had been received in the last week which would be reported at a later date.

Finally, a proposal from the Committee on Standards in Public Life was noted recommending additional wording for the constitution to cover situations where a Monitoring Officer was not able to progress a complaint due to a conflict of interest. The updated wording would allow cases to be referred to a monitoring officer at a neighbouring authority.

The Committee discussed the report and asked for confirmation that in the case complaining about a slow member response to the constituent that an apology had been sent.

RESOLVED

1.    That the report be noted.

2.    That the proposed new wording be agreed in respect of conflicts of interest in complaint handling and that the text be forwarded to the General Purposes Committee for adding to the Constitution.