Agenda item

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.