Minutes for Standards Committee meeting, Jul 2 2009, 10.00AM official page

To record any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Councillor Mrs G A M Amphlett.

To record any declarations of interests.

There were no declarations of interest.

NB       This case has been the subject of an investigation. At the present time, the papers must remain confidential. The Standards Committee will decide at its meeting:-

(a)               whether or not the hearing should be held in public, and

(b)               whether or not the papers should be made available to the public and press.

It does seem likely that the hearing will be held in public, but this will be a matter for the Standards Committee itself to decide having considered any representations on the matter.

The Committee considered the allegation that District Councillor Mrs Roma Kirke of Wychavon District Council had failed to comply with the District Council Code of Conduct.

The Chairman advised that, as there had been no requests for the hearing to be held in private, nor for any related documents to be withheld from the public, the hearing would take place in public and all the relevant documents would be available to the public and the press.

The pre-hearing background to the case was summarised by the Monitoring Officer. The Investigating Officer presented the findings of his report.

The Committee received evidence from the complainant Mrs Sarah Hutchins and Councillor Mrs Roma Kirke responded to the allegations.

Following consideration of the matter the Committee decided:

That Councillor Mrs Roma Kirke did not fail to comply with paragraph 3(1) of the Code of Conduct (which has to do with treating others with respect).