Agenda and draft minutes

To remind Members of the need to record the existence and nature of any personal, disclosable pecuniary or other registrable interests in items on the agenda, in accordance with the Members’ Code of Conduct.

All West Berkshire District Councillors declared an interest in Agenda Item 4, but reported that, as their interest was a personal or an other registrable interest, but not a disclosable pecuniary interest, they determined to remain to take part in the debate and vote on the matter.

RECOMMENDATION: That members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following items as it is likely that there would be disclosure of exempt information of the description contained in the paragraphs of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 specified in brackets in the heading of each item.

RESOLVED that members of the press and public be excluded from the meeting for the under-mentioned item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as contained in Paragraph 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, as amended by the Local Government (Access to Information)(Variation) Order 2006. Rule 8.10.4 of the Constitution also refers.

(Paragraph 1 – information relating to an individual)

Purpose: To make a determination as to whether a breach of the Code of Conduct has occurred. Should the Committee determine that a breach of the Code of Conduct has occurred, Members will need to determine an appropriate sanction(s).

(Paragraph 1 – information relating to an individual)

(All West Berkshire District Councillors declared a personal interest in Agenda item 4 by virtue of the fact that the Subject Member was a fellow Councillor. As their interest was personal and not prejudicial they were permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Jeff Beck added to his declaration by advising that he had responded to an e-mail of apology sent by the Subject Member).

(Councillor Andy Moore declared a personal interest in Agenda item 4 by virtue of the fact that he was the Chair of the Newbury and West Berkshire Liberal Democrats at the time of the complaint. The matter was referred to the group’s Local Party Executive (Councillor Moore did not sit on this) who considered that West Berkshire Council was best placed to resolve the issue. As his interest was personal and not prejudicial he was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

(Councillor Claire Rowles declared a personal interest in Agenda item 4 by virtue of the fact that she knew the Independent Investigator on a non-professional basis. As her interest was personal and not prejudicial she was permitted to take part in the debate and vote on the matter).

The Committee considered an exempt report (Agenda Item 4) concerning a complaint regarding an alleged breach of the Code of Conduct.

The Committee’s resolutions were recorded in the exempt Decision Notice.