Issue - items at meetings - Complaints Update

Report of the Monitoring Officer (copy attached).

22.1    The Committee considered a report of the Monitoring Officer regarding the complaints update. The Standards and Complaints Manager, Brian Foley, said that there had been six complaints this year, and the last three investigations had all been completed well under the 130 working day timescales.

            In 2010/11 three complaints had been referred to the Monitoring Officer for investigation; in two cases it was found that there had been no breach of the code of conduct, the third case has yet to be determined.

            In 2011/12, of the six complaints received so far, one case had been referred to the Monitoring Officer for investigation; another case had been referred for further action, and the remaining four the Standards Assessment Panel had had taken the decision that no further action should be taken.

Two of the investigations which had recently been determined were of significant public interest. It was noted that in relation to one complaint the Hearing Panel had found insufficient evidence of a breach; and in relation to the second the Panel had found a breach, but imposed no sanctions owing to mitigating circumstances and the co-operation of the Member in question.

            In relation to complaints to the Local Government Ombudsman it was noted that as many cases have not yet been determined by the Ombudsman there was difficultly in interpreting the figures at that point in the year; however, the number of complaints was fewer than in 2010/11. The Committees attention was drawn to one case with a finding of maladministration causing injustice; the Council had fulfilled its obligation to publish details locally, awarded the recommended level of compensation and implemented the suggested improvement package.

22.2    The Chair said that details of complaint two had related to the use of recording devices at public meetings, and it was agreed this matter would be taken up by the Monitoring Officer with Democratic Services.

22.3    RESOLVED – That the Committee note the report.