Issue - meetings

The Monitoring Officer submitted a report outlining progress on implementing the new standards regime, which also proposed changes to the complaints procedure.

In response to a question from Councillor M Wood, the Monitoring Officer stated that updates to guidance on the code of conduct would be included within the annual review of the Constitution.

Councillor M Wood referred to recent complaints dealt with by the Standards Sub-Committee and the length of time taken for the cases to be heard.  He believed that the complaints procedure should include some time limits for investigations to be carried out and reported back.

The Monitoring Officer suggested that the recent history had been complicated by the transition from the old regime to the new and believed that the new process would reduce the length of time taken.

Councillor E Buckmaster moved, and Councillor M Wood seconded, a proposal that the complaints process include a best endeavours timeframe of three months for investigations to be reported back to Members.  After being put to the meeting, and a vote taken, this proposal was CARRIED.

Council approved the complaints procedure, as now amended.

RESOLVED – that the complaints procedure, as now amended, be approved.