Issue - meetings

[To make a final determination in relation to an alleged failure by a Parish Councillor to follow the Code of Conduct.]

Further to Minute No. 29/09 of the meeting of the Standards Committee held on 23rd September 2009, the Committee considered a report on an alleged failure to follow the Code of Conduct.

The complaint concerned an allegation that following implementation by the Catshill and North Marlbrook Parish Council of the new Members' Code of Conduct on 26th June 2008, Councillor Dale Carter had failed to complete and return his Register of Members' Interests form in accordance with the statutory requirement to do so within 28 days. 

A report of the Investigating Officer dated 14th August 2009, which had found that Councillor Carter had failed to follow the Code of Conduct in relation to the complaint, was considered.  The Committee was asked to determine whether, based on the facts set out in the report, it agreed with the Investigating Officer's findings.

RESOLVED:

(a)       that Councillor Carter had failed to follow the Code of Conduct by being in breach of Part 3 paragraph 13 (1) in that he did not provide the Monitoring Officer with the Register of Members' Interests form within 28 days of the Code of Conduct being adopted by Catshill and North Marlbrook Parish Council; and

(b)       that Councillor Carter be suspended as a parish councillor for a period not exceeding 2 months, effective from 10th February 2010 to 9th April 2010, provided that the suspension shall cease to take effect prior to 9th April upon receipt of a suitable letter of apology from Councillor Carter, as approved by the Chairman of the Committee in consultation with the Monitoring Officer. 

 (A copy of the Committee's full decision, together with the reasons for it, is appended.)