Agenda and decisions

Standards Sub-Committee (Hearing) - Friday, 2nd March 2012 10.00 am

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Venue: Committee Room 2

Items
No.	Item
1.	Welcome and Introductions by the Chairperson
2.	Declarations of Any Interests Members are reminded of their responsibility to declare any personal interest in respect of matters contained in this agenda. If the interest arises only as result of your membership of another public body or one to which you have been appointed by the Council then you only need to declare it if you intend to speak. If the personal interest is a prejudicial interest, you must withdraw from the meeting. Normally you should leave the room before the business starts to be discussed. You do, however, have the same right to speak as a member of the public and may remain in the room to enable you to exercise that right and then leave immediately. In either case you must not seek to improperly influence a decision on the matter.
4.	Report into Alleged Breaches of the Code of Conduct PDF 49 KB To consider and determine the report of an investigation under Section 59 of the Local Government Act 2000 into an allegation concerning a Member of Chorley Council. The report of the Investigating Officer and prehearing summary is enclosed. A hearing procedure and guidance, produced by the Standards for England, entitled “Standards Committee Determinations” is also enclosed. Please refer to page 6 onwards. Additional documents: StandardsCommiteeDeterminations , item 4. PDF 108 KB Decision: The meeting of the Standards Sub-Committee (Hearing) today, 2 March 2012, considered and determined the report of an investigation under Section 59 of the Local Government Act 2000 into an allegation concerning Councillor Chris France of Chorley Council. Councillor Chris France appeared in person and was represented by himself with support and assistance from Councillor Peter Wilson. The Sub-Committee has decided that Councillor Chris France has breached paragraph 4(a) of the Code of Conduct by disclosing confidential information, and also paragraph 5, by bringing the authority into disrepute. The Sub-Committee determined that Councillor Chris France be suspended from the office of Councillor for a period of 3 months, and that his member allowances would be withheld during the period of suspension. The Sub-Committee consider these are most serious breaches of the Code of Conduct and the imposition of this suspension would most likely have been longer – up to six months. However we have also taken into account your limited experience at the time of the breaches and your subsequent apologies for your actions. The sanction we have imposed is in our opinion both reasonable and proportionate. This Sub-Committee is required and responsible for maintaining the highest levels of conduct amongst the Councillors at Chorley. Such breaches which can bring the authority into disrepute do and can have serious implications on the good name and reputation of this Authority and other Councillors.
4a	Findings of fact PDF 104 KB View the background to item 4a To make the findings of fact. Additional documents: AppendixA1AssessmentSubPapersMinus2 , item 4a PDF 998 KB Restricted enclosure 7 View the reasons why document 4a/3 is restricted AppendixA2ConservativePublication , item 4a PDF 523 KB AppendixA3InterviewComplainant , item 4a PDF 392 KB AppendixA4InterviewRespondent , item 4a PDF 365 KB There are a further 5 documents.View the full list of documents for item 4a
4b	Breach of the Code of Conduct To determine whether there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.
4c	Decision of the Committee To confirm the decision of the Standards Sub-Committee (Hearing).