Agenda and minutes

The interim Monitoring Officer requested that the committee members nominate a chair.

Councillor Gill moved a motion that Councillor Khurana act as Chair.  Councillor Jackson seconded.

RESOLVED:

That Cllr Khurana be appointed as Chair for the duration of this meeting was agreed.  

Councillor Khurana noted that Councillor Hyde, the appointed Chair of the committee, had recused herself from the committee for the duration of this meeting and that there were no apologies for absence.

None.

Councillor Khurana moved a motion to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the proceedings in accordance with paragraph 88 of the Access to Information rules in Part 4 of the Constitution and Paragraph 1 of Section 12 of the Local Government Act 1972. 

Councillor Khurana asked if the member who is the subject of the complaint had any views and it was confirmed that the member’s view was that the remainder of the meeting should be exempt.

Councillor Khurana sought the views of the Investigating Officer and the Interim Monitoring Officer. 

The Investigating Officer, supporte by the Interim Monitoring Officer, stated that the subject of the meeting clearly relates to an individual and in considering if an exemption under paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A to the Local Government Act 1972, should be applied, Article 8 of the Convention on Human Rights (right to privacy) is engaged, among other Convention rights. No finding of misconduct has yet been made, and disclosure of the councillor’s identity and the allegations against them could damage their reputation, even if they are not upheld by the committee.  On balance, and considering that the findings of the committee will be made public ifthe allegations are substantiated, the Investigating Officer recommended that the remainder of the meeting be held in private.

Councillor Khurana moved the motion to a vote.

RESOLVED:

That the press and public be excluded from the remainder of the proceedings in accordance with paragraph 88 of the Access to Information rules in Part 4 of the Constitution and Paragraph 1 of Section 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 was agreed. 

The Committee meeting entered exempt session with the following attendees present:

Councillor Anjna Khurana, Chair

Councillor Satnam Gill, Committee Member

Councillor Jason Jackson, Committee Member

Marie Rosenthal, interim Monitoring Officer

Sonal Mistry, Investigation Officer

Luke Rigg, Independent Person

Subject Member

Subject Member’s Solicitor

Philippa Green, Committee Clerk