Standards Committee Decisions
Case Reference 2008/006
On 21 December 2009, the Hearing Sub Committee
of the Standards Committee of this authority considered a report
from T Gear, Investigating Officer, regarding a complaint made by
Mr Beck against Councillor Keith Sproat, a member of Broughton
Community Council. Mr Beck had alleged that Mr Sproat
breached the Code of Conduct by failing to declare a prejudicial
interest and being rude to another member during the course of a
meeting.
Members considered the content of the
Investigating Officer’s report and felt that he had carried out a
full and detailed investigation. Members thanked the Investigating
Officer for his work on the investigation.
After careful consideration of the
Investigating Officer’s report and the representations made by
Councillor Beck and Councillor Lancaster, the Hearing Sub-Committee
found that Councillor Sproat had breached the Code of Conduct by
failing to declare a prejudicial interest and, having a prejudicial
interest, failing to act appropriately.
Members considered that the breaches of the
Code of Conduct were serious breaches and Councillor Sproat, as an experienced Councillor, should have
had an understanding of when to declare a prejudicial interest.
Members therefore agreed to impose a sanction to suspend Councillor
Sproat for a period of 6 months.
This decision was subsequently overturned
by the First-Tier Tribunal General Regulatory Chamber (Local
Government Standards in England) on 17 May 2010. Details of
their decision can be downloaded from the
Tribunal's website.
Case Reference 2009/001
On the 29th October 2009, the
Standards Committee of Allerdale Borough Council considered the
Investigating Officers report in respect of a complaint, which was
submitted by the Executive and Financial Officer on behalf of
Broughton Community Council concerning the alleged conduct of Mr B
D Lancaster a member of Broughton Community Council.
We have set out a general summary of the
complaint below:
The Executive and Financial Officer on behalf
of Broughton Community Council alleged that Mr Lancaster breached
the Code of Conduct by not treating a member of Broughton Community
Council with respect and brought his office or the Council into
disrepute.
In accordance with Section 57A(2) of the Local
Government Act 2000, as amended, the Standards Committee decided
that no further action should be taken in respect of the
allegations.
On careful consideration of the Investigating
Officers report the Standards Committee did not consider that
Councillor Lancaster failed to treat others with respect, bullied
any person or brought his office or the Council into disrepute and
that there was no case to answer.
Case Reference 2010/003
On 29 March 2010, the standards committee of this authority
considered a complaint from Mrs J Hunter concerning the alleged
conduct of Mr B Beck, Mr B Lancaster and Mrs V Sherwood, members of
Broughton Community Council.
The committee decided to refer the complaint to Standards for
England. Further information on their reasons for referal
to Standards for England can be found in the
minutes of the meeting held on 29 March 2010.
Standards for England found that Mrs
V Sherwood had not breached Broughton Community Council’s Code
of Conduct.
The decisions of Standards for England regarding the
complaints against
Mr B Beck and
Mr B Lancaster can be found on the Standards for England
website.
Case Reference 2011/001
On 21 February 2012, the Standards Committee
of this authority held a consideration meeting to hear the
Investigating Officer’s report regarding a complaint from Mr P
Mounfield concerning the alleged conduct of Mr I Hall, Keswick Town
Councillor and Chairman of the Keswick Parks’ Trust.
We have set out a general summary of the
complaint below:
Mr Mounfield alleges that Mr Hall failed to
comply with the standards of impartiality and fairness required by
the Code of Conduct in respect of the Keswick Parks’ Franchise.
In accordance with Section 57A(2) of the Local
Government Act 2000, as amended, the Standards Committee decided
that no action should be taken on the allegation.
Following careful consideration of the report
and discussions with the Investigating Officer the Standards
Committee decided that there was no breach of the Code of Conduct
as the information provided did not show evidence of a breach.