There were no apologies for absence.

All Councillors present declared a non-pecuniary interest due to knowing both the complainant and subject member.

Consideration was given to the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2022.

RESOLVED – That the minutes of the meetings held on 23 March 2022 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report detailing consequential amendments to Chapter 12 of the Council’s Constitution and introducing a new Chapter 20 covering the Cumberland Joint Committee and their Terms of Reference.

Clarification was sought and provided regarding the amendments and new Chapter, including details of sections 27 and 28 of the Localism Act 2011

On a vote of 7 For, 0 Against and 0 Abstentions, it was therefore:-

RESOLVED – That the Constitution amendments be agreed.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:18pm, to await the arrival of both parties for Agenda Item 6.

The meeting re-convened at 2:45pm

The Chair to move:

That under Section 100(a)(4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the following item on the grounds that, if they were present, there could be disclosed to them exempt information as defined in the relevant paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Act.

The Chair proposed and it was

RESOLVED – that the press and public be excluded for the remaining items of business in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

Consideration was given to an allegation that the subject Member had breached the Council’s Code of Conduct.

The Council’s Monitoring Officer commenced the hearing by setting out the details of the complaint to the Committee.

The Complainant then had fifteen minutes to present the case to the Committee.

The Subject Member was then also permitted a maximum of fifteen minutes to present their case to the Committee.

Committee members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions of both parties.

At this point the Complainant and Subject Member left the meeting and the committee deliberated to consider their decision.

At the conclusion of the deliberations it was

RESOLVED – that the Committee unanimously agreed that the Subject Member’s actions amounted to a breach of the Code of Conduct and the complaint be upheld with sanctions 3, 5 and 6 (as stated in Appendix 1, paragraph 12(i) of the Procedure for Investigating Councillor Code of Conduct Complaints being applied:

3.     The Subject Member be censured - an expression of strong disapproval or criticism – and that censure will be in writing, with a copy being sent to the relevant group leader.

5.     A recommendation be made to the relevant group leader that the subject member should be removed from relevant committees or outside bodies.

6.      The appropriate training should be arranged for the subject member by the Council’s solicitor.