Agenda item

A joint report of the Town Clerk and 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 Sub-Committee considered a joint report of the Town Clerk and 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.  He further reminded the Sub-Committee of the need to have regard for the statutory obligations in respect of declaring interests, the requirements of the Localism Act and those rights set out in the European Convention on Human Rights, in particular a member’s article 10 rights to freedom of expression.

Having considered the complaint, the points sets out in the Comptroller’s report and the comments made during discussion, the Assessment Sub-Committee concluded that if the complaint was to be proven, it would not constitute a breach of the Code of Conduct and therefore that no action should be taken in respect of the complaint. The Sub-Committee noted that the complainant and the Member would be notified of the decision in due course.

RESOLVED:- That, following consideration of the joint report of the Town Clerk and the Comptroller and City Solicitor, the Assessment Sub-Committee agree that no further action should be taken in respect of the complaint.