Apologies were received from Kath Nicholson (Independent Person).

There were no declarations of interest.

In accordance with the Council’s Constitution, questions that are not specific to reports on the agenda must have been received in writing 10 working days before the date of the meeting. 

Questions specifically on reports on the agenda should be received within two working days of the normal publication date of the agenda.  Please ensure that questions specifically on reports on the agenda are received by the Democratic Services Team by 5pm on Wednesday 15 February 2023.

No questions were received.

The minutes of the meeting held on 3 November 2022, were agreed and signed as a correct record.

Report CSD23029

The report updated the Committee on a number of standards issues.

Appeals Process for Members Subject to Complaints

The Committee considered and approved the Appeals Process for Members subject to complaints as set out at Appendix 1 of the report.

Work Programme/Matters Outstanding

The Chairman encouraged Members of the Committee to let the Monitoring Officer know of any items to be discussed in the new municipal year.

Complaints

In response to a question, the Monitoring Officer confirmed that guidance for Members on the use of social media would be renewed at the beginning of the new municipal year.

A Member suggested that paragraph 3.14 of the report should be reworded to clarify that the complaints were made in response to comments posted on Twitter in response to a news article posted on Twitter by the News Shopper.

In response to a further question, the Monitoring Officer, confirmed that in the case of this complaint the Code of Conduct had not been engaged as the Councillor was not acting in his capacity as an elected member. Consequently, it was not possible for any action to be taken for bringing the Council into disrepute as the Code of Conduct only ever applied to those acting in their capacity as a member or co-opted member, under current legislation. 

RESOLVED: That

1.  The Monitoring Officer’s General Report be noted; and

2.  The Appeals Process for Members subject to complaints be approved.