Agenda and minutes

To declare any personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of Section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

There were no declarations of personal/prejudicial interests for the purpose of section 81(3) of the Local Government Act 2000 and paragraphs 8 to 12 of the Members’ Code of Conduct.

To consider the information provided by the Monitoring Officer as set out in the report, and decide what action to take in relation to the complaints.

The Monitoring Officer submitted the above complaints to the Assessment Sub-Committee for reconsideration in the light of new information, in accordance with Regulation 16 of the Standards Committee (England) Regulations 2008.  Both the Monitoring Officer and the Deputy Monitoring Officer were in attendance at the meeting to advise the Sub-Committee on any procedural issues.

The Assessment Sub-Committee agreed that the complaint was about an elected Member of Leeds City Council, that the subject Member was in office at the time of the alleged conduct, and that the Code of Conduct was in force at the time. The Assessment Sub-Committee also agreed that the subject Member was acting in their official capacity during the alleged incidents, and that there were potential breaches of the Code of Conduct disclosed by the complaints.

However, having considered the assessment criteria, the Assessment Sub-Committee concluded that it would not be in the public interest to take any further action in relation to the complaints, on the basis that the matter had already been subject to other action, and the length of time that had elapsed since the alleged incidents.

RESOLVED – The Assessment Sub-Committee decided to take no further action in relation to the allegations.

To consider any lessons to learn from the above cases, and to identify any Standards Committee procedures which may require revision.

The Assessment Sub-Committee recognised the important role of Group Leaders and Whips in addressing issues which may be raised in respect of Member conduct and the willingness of all Political Groups to attempt to resolve complaints as quickly as possible.