Issue - meetings

To consider the report of the Monitoring Officer (copy enclosed).

Please note that whilst the Committee deliberates, the press and public will be excluded from the meeting.

The Committee considered the report of the Monitoring Officer advising the Committee of an investigation following complaints against Councillors Stephen Stratton, Doug Bown and Una Siddall-Norman of Burnham-on-Crouch Town Council.

The report set out the areas for consideration by the Committee based on the evidence before them and the sanctions it could apply if it was determined that a breach of the Code of Conduct had occurred.

The Monitoring Officer presented the report, advising that Councillor Stratton was present and there would be opportunity for him to ask questions and for the Committee to ask questions of him. It was noted that Mr Oram, the Independent Investigator from ch&I associates, who had carried out the investigation would present his report (Appendix 1 to the report). Prior to deferring to Mr Oram, Members were advised that once all reports, discussions and questions had been covered the Committee would deliberate in private.

Mr Oram took the Committee through the headline issues in his report covering the complaints. He drew Members’ attention to the summary and the findings of his investigation which had concluded that Councillors Stratton, Bown and Siddall-Norman had not failed to comply with the Town Council’s Code of Conduct (CoC) and he therefore recommended that no further action be taken in relation to these complaints.

In accordance with the Hearing procedure, the Chairman invited Members of the Committee and the Independent Person to ask the Investigator, Mr Oram and the Monitoring Officer any questions.

Officers responded to questions raised, drawing Members’ attention to specific points within the report, providing clarification and further information including:

·                It was confirmed that Councillor Rawlinson was no longer a Town Councillor and Mr Oram provided some context regarding the decision to bring this matter forward to the Committee.

·                The Mayor chaired the meeting in question and would have been involved with the Chief Officer in respect of the decision as to whether the meeting was held in public or private session. It was noted that paragraph 4.2.8 of the investigators’ report set out the discussion that took place at the meeting.

·                It was noted that a large number of documents were submitted by Councillor Stratton raising wider issues within the Council and all of which were forensically examined. Mr Oram advised that regardless of any wider concerns he had concluded there had not been a failure in compliance with the CoC.

The Chairman referred to Hearing procedure point 6 and invited Councillor Stratton to make any representations with respect to the conclusions of the report. Councillor Stratton advised that he didn’t have any questions and provided the Committee with background information regarding his complaints, including his previous attempts to raise a motion seeking a vote of no confidence in the mayor.

The Chairperson then moved onto Hearing procedure point 10 – press and public to be excluded so that the Committee could deliberate.