Agenda and minutes

Members are requested at the start of the meeting to declare any known interests in any matter to be considered, and are reminded that any such interest should also be declared at the start of an item or during any discussion of the matter concerned.

            The Committee noted the need for Members to declare any known interests in any matters to be considered at the meeting.  No declarations were made.

            The Standards Committee Hearings Panel met to conduct a hearing of complaint in respect of an allegation that Parish Councillor Glenn Mills had breached Wroughton Parish Council’s Code of Conduct by a failure to treat with respect by virtue through his conversation with Parish Councillor Chris Manning following a meeting of the Parish Council on 21^st December 2009.

            The complaint had been referred by the Assessment Sub-Committee of 25^th January 2010 for local investigation and determination.  The referral was dealt with in accordance with Statutory Guidance and the Council’s own adopted Hearings Procedure. 

            The Monitoring Officer had appointed Miss Karen Trickey of Michelmores, Solicitors, as the Investigating Officer and she attended the meeting to present her report.  Parish Councillor Glenn Mills was present at the meeting and elected to present his own case to the Committee.  Parish Councillor Chris Manning attended as a witness, at the request of the Hearings Panel. 

            A pre-hearing of the Panel had decided to proceed to local hearing on the basis of the one allegation of failure to treat with respect contrary to paragraph 3 (1) of the Code of Conduct.  The Panel concurred with the Investigator’s recommendation that the other allegations of ‘bringing the office of Parish Councillor of Authority into disrepute’ contrary to paragraph 5 of the Code and ‘bullying’ contrary to paragraph 3 (b) of the Code had not been substantiated. 

            In accordance with its agreed procedure, the Hearings Panel first made its determination as to Findings of Fact, then as to whether or not the Members Code of Conduct had been breached.  The Panel received the written Investigators’ report and heard representations from Miss Karen Trickey the Investigating Officer and from Parish Councillor Glenn Mills and asked questions, and withdrew to make its decision at each stage.  In addition at the first stage the Panel heard representations from Councillor Chris Manning and all parties had the opportunity to ask questions.

Resolved – (1) That the Findings of Fact are as set down in the Full Decision of the Hearings Panel.

(2) That the Parish Code of Conduct did apply as Parish Councillor Glenn Mills and Parish Councillor Chris Manning had no relationship outside that of fellow parish Councillors, and that Mr Mills’ intention was to speak with Mr Manning was in relation to their relationship as Parish Councillors when conducting the business of the Parish Council.

(3) That Parish Councillor Glenn Mills had not breached the Members’ Code of Conduct by failing to treat another person with respect under paragraph 3(1) of the Code.  The reason for the decision was that although Mr Mills had persisted in wishing to speak to Mr Manning after the Parish Council meeting on 21^st December 2009 despite Mr Manning’s objections, his conduct and language was insufficient to constitute a breach of the Members Code of Conduct.

(4) That further to the determination of no breach of Code, the Monitoring Officer together with a member of the Standards Committee offer support and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.