Issue - meetings

The Monitoring Officer presented the report which provided information about the volume and nature of complaints received under any code of conduct applying to elected members in South Somerset, at District, Town or Parish level. She reminded members that a limited range of sanctions were available under the current standards regime.

The Monitoring Officer responded to points of detail raised during a short discussion, her comments included:

·         All complaints received formally were detailed within confidential appendix A.

·         The changes proposed to the complaints guidance notes were highlighted at Appendix B. She explained that the aim of the additional wording was to try and encourage those involved to attempt to resolve the issues concerned in some way before submitting a formal complaint. It was acknowledged that in small parishes this may not be possible and the Monitoring Officer was often seen as an independent mediator.

At the conclusion of discussion, members were content to note the report and approve the revisions to the complaints process document.

(Voting: 5 in favour, 1 abstention)