Decision details

Complaint in respect of District Councillor D Andrews

Decision Maker: Standards Sub-Committee

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Is subject to call in?: No

Decisions:

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report reminding the Sub-Committee that, at its meeting held on 10 September 2015, it had considered eight complaints against Councillor D Andrews alleging that he had breached the Authority’s Code of Conduct.

 

In respect of seven of the eight complaints, the Sub-Committee had agreed that no further action be taken.

 

The Monitoring Officer, in accordance with the Sub-Committee’s instructions, submitted information on any connection between Councillor Andrews and Riversmead Housing Association as identified in the remaining complaint.

 

The Sub-Committee noted the evidence provided by the complainant to support the assertion of a relationship between the Association and Councillor D Andrews that included a statement from a third party.

 

The Monitoring Officer reported that the Regional Director of Riversmead Housing Association had advised that, to the best of his knowledge, the only connection that Councillor Andrews had with the Association related to his role as a District/County Councillor in areas where his organisation owned/managed/developed homes.  The Sub-Committee noted the Regional Director’s comments concerning a possible link between an officer of the Association and Councillor Andrews through their joint involvement with the Community Voluntary Body for East Hertfordshire (CVBEH).

 

After careful consideration of the complaint and supplementary information provided by the complainant and Monitoring Officer regarding an alleged relationship between the subject and Riversmead Housing Association and in consultation with the Independent Person and taking into account the Council’s assessment criteria and the approved process for dealing with complaints, the Sub-Committee agreed that no further action be taken as no evidence has been provided that supports the assertion of an inappropriate relationship nor bias on the part of the subject.  The Sub-Committee commented that the role of a councillor was such that it was to be expected that they would know community stakeholders and would act appropriately.

 

RESOLVED – that after careful consideration of the complaint and supplementary information provided by the complainant and Monitoring Officer regarding an alleged relationship between the subject (Councillor D Andrews) and Riversmead Housing Association and in consultation with the Independent Person and taking into account the Council’s assessment criteria and the approved process for dealing with complaints, no further action be taken as no evidence has been provided that supports the assertion of an inappropriate relationship nor bias on the part of the subject. 

 

Publication date: 15/01/2016

Date of decision: 24/11/2015

Decided at meeting: 24/11/2015 - Standards Sub-Committee

Accompanying Documents: