Members considered a complaint under the Member code of Conduct against Councillor Keppel-Spoor of Benwick Parish Council.
Members were reminded of the process to be followed when considering a complaint, including whether or not there is a reasonable prospect of the complaint being proven based on the information held, the factors that can be considered and the options available to them.
Members made comments, asked questions and received responses as follows:
- Councillor Skoulding stated that he would have liked to have thought that this issue could have been talked through and resolved within the village instead of being brought in front of Conduct Committee as a complaint. Councillor Ridley added that there had obviously been communication between the two parties, and as this was a trivial matter, should have been resolved; as the complaint presently stands it is not relevant to this committee;
- The Independent Person stated that this was a trivial complaint and did not warrant further investigation or time and money spent on it;
- Councillor Russell stated the tubs had been regularly varnished and a request should have been made prior to them being painted. The Benwick in Bloom team were at fault for not asking permission prior to painting the tubs;
- Councillor Sutton concurred with the comments made;
- Councillor Yeulett asked those that were parish councillors, if these types of problems happened within their parish councils were they normally resolved within the parish, to which they replied that they were. Councillor Ridley explained that the members of the parish council would work together.
Decided that no further action be taken in respect of this complaint as the committee feels that even if proven this allegation did not warrant action by the committee, whilst acknowledging the importance to the individuals concerned of this matter. The committee considered that this was a matter best suited to informal local resolution and would encourage the parties to meet and discuss their differences and look to move forward together. It was recommended that given that there is a recording of the relevant meeting it may be helpful for the parties to review this together.