Hearing Review Sub-Committee
Monday 28 November 2011 1.00 pm
PDF 55 KBVenue: Committee Rooms 1 & 2, Harrow Civic Centre. View directions
Contact: Vishal Seegoolam, Senior Democratic Services Officer Tel: 020 8424 1883 E-mail: vishal.seegoolam@harrow.gov.uk
Note: Following a resolution by the Sub-Committee at its meeting, all papers for this Sub-Committee are now subject to public disclosure. The time of the meeting has been moved to 1pm from 10am.
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Appointment of Chairman To note that the Independent Member, Dr John Kirkland, will serve as Chairman of the Sub-Committee for this meeting. Minutes: RESOLVED: To note that the Independent Member, Dr John Kirkland, would serve as Chairman of the Sub-Committee for this meeting. |
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Declarations of Interest To receive declarations of personal or prejudicial interests, arising from business to be transacted at this meeting, from:
(a) all Members of the Sub Committee; (b) all other Members present in any part of the room. Minutes: RESOLVED: To note that there were no declarations of interests made by Members. |
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RESOLVED ITEMS |
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Hearing Sub-Committee - Terms of Reference Report of the Director of Legal and Governance Services. Additional documents:
Minutes: RESOLVED: That the terms of the reference of the Sub-Committee be noted. |
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Complaint - Breach of Code of Conduct The report on behalf of the Monitoring Officer and all relevant information is enclosed. Additional documents:
Minutes: The Sub-Committee received a report on behalf of the Monitoring Officer relating to a complaints made by a complainant of breaches of the Code of Conduct for Councillors made by Councillor James Bond. The complaint had initially been considered by the Assessment Sub-Committee at its meeting held on 20 April 2011, which had decided that the complaint should be referred for investigation. As a result the investigation had taken place on behalf of the Monitoring Officer by an Independent Investigation Officer. The Hearing Sub-Committee was now tasked with considering the complaint and investigation report and to determine whether there had been breaches of the Code of Conduct.
Pre-discussion In attendance was Councillor James Bond. Also in attendance were Jessica Farmer (Deputy Monitoring Officer) and Vishal Seegoolam from Legal and Governance Services to provide advice and support to the Sub?Committee
At the outset of the Hearing, the Chairman asked Councillor Bond whether he had any objections to the meeting being held in public. Councillor Bond confirmed that he had no objection.
AGREED: That the meeting be held in public.
Evidence The Chairman confirmed that the Investigation Officer was not in attendance at the meeting as the Sub-Committee believed that her presence was not required as there was a high degree of agreement in relation to the complaint.
The Chairman asked Councillor Bond if he agreed with the facts of the case. Councillor Bond responded that he believed that the investigation report was fair and thorough and had no objection to the findings in relation to it. Councillor Bond also confirmed that he had no witnesses.
The Deputy Monitoring Officer detailed the circumstances relating to the complaint and explained that:
· The Complainant, an employee of Harrow Council, had alleged that Councillor Bond had breached the Code of Conduct by failing to treat others with respect, bullying, compromising the impartiality of an officer, failing to declare a personal or prejudicial interest and bringing the office of Councillor or the Council into disrepute.
· Councillor Bond had sent a letter to the Corporate Director, Community and Environment, at Harrow Council, regarding the manner in which the Complainant had conducted an environmental health food hygiene inspection which had allegedly failed to treat her with.
· It was alleged that Councillor Bond had bullied the Complainant by his action of sending the letter and by the way he conducted himself in this matter.
· It was alleged that Councillor Bond by his action of sending the letter and by the way he conducted himself in this matter compromised or was likely to have compromised the impartiality of the Complainant who worked for the Council.
· It was alleged that Councillor Bond had a personal and prejudicial interest in that he had a close association with the Owners of the premises.
· It was alleged that Councillor Bond by his conduct towards the Complainant and his handling of this matter had brought his office and/or the authority into disrepute.
Relevant Sections of the Code of Conduct The Deputy Monitoring Officer reported ... view the full minutes text for item 31. |