Agenda and draft minutes

Having been moved and seconded, Ann Holmes was duly elected as Chairman for the purposes of the Sub-Committee meeting.

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

The Sub-Committee received its terms of reference.

RESOLVED:- That the terms of reference of the Assessment Sub (Standards) Committee be received.

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.

There were no questions and the Sub-Committee noted the complaints procedure (“How Complaints to the City of London Corporation’s Standards Committee Will Be Dealt With”), the Members’ Code of Conduct and the guidance on it.

RESOLVED:- That the complaints procedure (“How Complaints to the City of London Corporation’s Standards Committee Will Be Dealt With”), the Members’ Code of Conduct and the guidance on it be noted.

There was none.

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 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.

Report by the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Assessment Sub-Committee considered a report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor relative to a complaint against a Member of Common Council which was received on 20^th July 2018.

The Sub-Committee considered whether the allegation would, if proven, amount to a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  In consideration of the allegation and the City Corporation’s Assessment Criteria, it was agreed that this was the case and a formal investigation should therefore be undertaken by the Investigating Officer and the matter considered further by the Hearing Sub (Standards) Committee in accordance with the complaints procedure and the City Corporation’s Standing Orders.

It was noted that the Member had requested from the Comptroller & City Solicitor access to various documents but, whilst acknowledging the rights of all those concerned, on the basis of legal privilege and data protection such information would not, at this stage, be made available other than the report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor.

RESOLVED:- That –

(i)            the report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor be noted;

(ii)           the matter be referred for a formal investigation to be undertaken by an independent investigator and the matter considered further by the Hearing Sub (Standards) Committee in accordance with the complaints procedure and the City Corporation’s Standing Orders; and

(iii)          the disclosure of information, as requested by the Member in question, be refused at this stage, except for the report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor, as before the Assessment Sub (Standards) Committee.

Report of the Comptroller and City Solicitor.

The Assessment Sub-Committee considered a report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor relative to a complaint against a Common Councilman received on 22^nd July 2018.

The Sub-Committee considered whether the allegation would, if proven, amount to a breach of the Members’ Code of Conduct. 

Having considered the complaint and the elected Member’s written comments on it, the Sub-Committee was of the unanimous view, the Independent Person being in agreement, that his conduct amounted to a potential breach of paragraphs 2(l) and 2(m) of the Members’ Code of Conduct.  In light of the Member’s subsequent actions the Sub-Committee agreed however that, in the circumstances, no further action should be taken.

RESOLVED:- That –

(i)         the report of the Comptroller & City Solicitor be noted; and

(ii)        no further action should be taken in respect of the complaint and the Member in question advised accordingly by the Comptroller & City Solicitor.