Agenda and draft minutes

The Chairman welcomed those present and introduced the rest of the Sub Committee present, explaining that Caroline Addy, a member of the Standards Committee, was replacing Deputy Kevin Everett who was unable to be present. Caroline Addy confirmed that she had received and read all relevant papers for the meeting over the weekend.

The Chairman then introduced Jonathan Swift, QC, advising the Sub Committee on any issues of law that might arise, John Austin, the Investigating Officer in this instance, Edward Wood (Comptroller’s) and Martin Newton (Town Clerk’s).

The Hearing Sub (Standards) Committee’s hearing procedure.

The Chairman referred to the circulated hearing procedure and it was agreed by all that the meeting would go into non-public session following discussion on this procedure. The Chairman confirmed he was unaware of any witnesses to be called, notwithstanding discussions that would take place shortly on ‘preliminaries’.

The complaints procedure in respect of how complaints submitted to the City of London Corporation’s Standards Committee will be dealt with.  

The content of the complaints procedure was noted.

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 100A(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting for the remaining items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in Paragraphs 1 and 2 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Sub Committee then proceeded to discuss the referred allegation of a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct, considering the report of the Investigating Officer and all other relevant submissions, during which the Sub Committee adjourned and reconvened on several occasions to receive legal advice, break for lunch, and come to its decision.