Issue - meetings

To receive and consider the report of the Monitoring Officer.

The Monitoring Officer presented a report updating members of the Governance Committee on complaints that had been received on Standards Matters in the calendar year 2018.

One matter had been referred for investigation, one was referred for local resolution, one was viewed as tit for tat, and one did not raise behaviour that took place when the individual was acting as a councillor. Of the complaints received, one related to a borough councillor with the remaining complaints being brought against parish councillors. Further details of these matters had been summarised in the report.

As such, the low number of complaints received, and the nature of the matters raised did not demonstrate a significant issue with the behaviours of parish or local councillors within the borough.

Code of Conduct Training had been provided to new Members this year. No training sessions had been provided to parishes on the Code of Conduct although the Monitoring Officer remained committed to providing it on request. It was intended to offer both Borough and Parish Councillor Training in the coming year. Members of the Committee commended the low level of complaints and highly recommended that both Borough and Parish/Town Councillors attend the training.

Decision – That the report be noted.