Agenda and draft minutes

The Town Clerk having asked for nominations for a Chairman for the meeting, it was proposed, duly seconded and agreed that Ann Holmes be elected as Chairman.

RESOLVED - That Ann Holmes be elected as Chairman of the Assessment Sub (Standards) Committee for the meeting.

The complaints procedure (“How Complaints to the City of London Corporation’s Standards Committee Will Be Dealt With”), along with the Members’ Code of Conduct and guidance on it, is attached for information.

The Sub Committee noted the circulated reports setting out the complaints process, the code of conduct and guidance on it.

RECEIVED.

There was no other urgent business.

MOTION – That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the following items on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

RESOLVED - That under Section 100(A) of the Local Government Act 1972,

the public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds

that it involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Part 1 of

Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor presenting, for assessment by the Sub-Committee, a complaint made alleging a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

The Sub Committee considered a report and associated papers of the Comptroller and City Solicitor presenting, for assessment by the Sub Committee, a complaint made against a Member of the Court of Common Council.

The Comptroller and City Solicitor provided a brief introduction to his report and reminded Members of the need to ascertain whether they were satisfied that if the complaint was proven it would constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct, along with the current Corporation Assessment Criteria. The Sub Committee noted the requirement to only consider the submitted complaint in relation to the allegations of the breach of the Code of Conduct and not in the context of any related allegations that were not within its jurisdiction.  

The Sub Committee then proceeded to discuss the contents of the report and duly considered all relevant matters including hearing the views of the Independent Person that was present. The Sub Committee were of the unanimous view that no breach of the Code of Conduct had occurred in relation to the matters raised by the complainant in his complaint form and that therefore no further action should be taken in relation to the complaint itself.

Members did however express some concern during discussion that the Remembrancer’s Department did not have a record of personal guests attending the Silent Ceremony (using an “admit bearer” type ticket) and resolved to invite the Members’ Privileges Sub Committee to review the policy and procedure for issuing tickets for the Silent Ceremony and the security implications.

RESOLVED:- That the Assessment Sub (Standards) Committee agree that:-

(a)  no further action should be taken in relation to the complaint itself; and

(b)  in view of concern expressed that the Remembrancer’s Department did not have a record of personal guests attending the Silent Ceremony (using an