Agenda and draft minutes

Councillor Flood proposed that Councillor Adams-King be appointed as Chairman of the Employment Appeals and Ethics Sub Committee. Councillor C Dowden seconded the motion.

There were no further nominations. Upon being put to the vote, the motion was carried.

Resolved:

That Councillor Adams-King be appointed as Chairman of the Employment Appeals and Ethics Sub Committee.

There were no apologies for absence.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman advised the Procedures Rules for the Employment Appeals and Ethics Sub Committee contained within item 4 of the agenda were for information only.

To consider an exclusion of the public.

Councillor Adams-King proposed, and Councillor Flood seconded the recommendation for exclusion of the Public.

Resolved:

That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Act, as amended. It is further considered that the public interest in maintaining the exemption whilst the matter is being determined by the sub-committee outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

To consider a report of the Head of Legal and Democratic and Monitoring Officer.

Consideration was given to a report of the Monitoring Officer in respect of a complaint received regarding a Borough Councillor. The Monitoring Officer requested the Sub-Committee to consider whether there had been any potential breach of the Code of Conduct and to determine what further action, if any, should be taken.

The Sub Committee suspended the meeting from 13:15 to 14:24 to retire for deliberation.

Having had regard to the Investigator’s report and its findings, the evidence presented by those in attendance at the Sub Committee and the views of the Council’s Independent Person, the Sub-Committee considered that there had not been a breach of Test Valley Borough Council’s Code of Conduct.

The Sub Committee made the following recommendations:

1.  That all Councillors attend training and development, as part of the Council’s ongoing commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, specifically in respect of the Gypsy, Roma Traveller Community.

2.  That those Councillors who use social media as a way to engage with communities attend training on best practice for communicating appropriately in a digital environment.

A written report of the hearing and decision, with reasons, would be prepared within 5 working days.