The Monitoring Officer’s report is attached.

Councillor M McLaughlin introduced the Interim Director: Law and Governance who then presented his report and supporting appendices.  He informed that the Standards Panel, at its meeting on 15 June 2017, had considered an investigation into allegations that Councillor L Reecejones had breached the Members’ Code of Conduct and had determined that she had done so. 

This decision had required a number of actions to be taken, including reporting the outcome to a public meeting.  This decision had been subject to a request for an appeal which had been unsuccessful as the former Director: Law and Governance had considered there to be insufficient grounds to allow it.  The Interim Director’s report set out the steps that had, or had not been taken by Councillor Reecejones and others in responding to the actions required.

Members were informed that the procedure that was being adopted for the meeting was that the Committee would receive the report, Members could then ask any questions they may have and then the complainants would each be invited to make a short statement. Councillor Reecejones would then be invited to respond and then the Committee would debate and decide what was to happen next.

The Committee considered the background to the allegations in detail and noted that the sanctions the Panel had agreed would be imposed on Councillor Reecejones were as follows:

(a)    The Monitoring Officer should write a formal warning letter to Councillor Reecejones reminding her of the need to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct;

(b)    Councillor Reecejones must apologise in writing to all the complainants for breaching the Members’ Code of Conduct within 14 days of receiving this Decision notice;

(c)    The Labour Political Group Leader be asked to consider whether party disciplinary action should be taken against Councillor Reecejones and whether she should be removed (through Council) from all outside bodies to which she has been appointed;

(d)    The Monitoring Officer shall arrange both internal and external training for Councillor Louise Reecejones as soon as practicably possible. Should Councillor Reecejones fail to attend the training arranged, the Monitoring Officer shall report this fact to her Political Group Leader for consideration and action; and

(e)    The Panel’s decision shall be reported to the next public meeting of the Standards and Constitutional Oversight Committee for consideration.

The Committee received an update on the next steps from the Interim Director, following the Standards Panel’s decision being relayed to Councillor Reecejones on 28 July 2017. It noted that to date Councillor Reecejones had not fulfilled any part of what was required of her and the Committee was presented with evidence from the Interim Director and the complainants to support this.

It was noted that on 28 July 2017 the former Director: Law and Governance had received further allegations against Councillor Reecejones from the complainants concerning her behaviour at the Standards Panel meeting and, in particular, that she was continuing with her social media posts making false allegations against them.  He determined that as these related to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 21

In accordance with the decision of the Panel (minute 4(2)), the Investigator’s report has now been made public and can be viewed here.

To consider the Investigator’s Report and its 12 Appendices (attached).

To deal with the complaint in accordance with the attached Procedure.

Also in attendance at the meeting was the Subject Councillor, Councillor Louise Reecejones, the Complainants and the Investigator, who introduced her report.  The Panel considered the Investigator’s report and listened to all the representations made, the questions asked and the answers provided by the parties in attendance at the meeting.  Panel Members also asked a number of questions of the parties which were answered as appropriate. 

Councillor Reecejones, the Complainants, the Independent Person and the Investigator then left the meeting whilst the Panel reached its decision. 

DECISION

The Panel gave careful consideration to the Investigator’s Report, all relevant documentary evidence and the representations made by all the parties to this matter.

Panel was satisfied that a satisfactory investigation and report had been undertaken and produced in relation to all of the complaints. The Investigator had appropriately considered the evidence and afforded all the parties the opportunity to participate and adduce all relevant information and evidence for consideration.

The Panel examined in detail all the matters and issues arising from the complaints during the hearing and was satisfied that all the parties had been afforded a fair opportunity to clarify any specific points and ensure the Panel understood their respective positions and responses. 

The Panel will provide its full decision within the next seven days; however, will deliver its decision in respect of the complaints made this evening.

The Panel has noted there are a number of aggravating and mitigating factors arising in this matter which it has examined and considered in reaching its decision. Those factors will be set out in the full decision.

The Panel considered the representations of the Independent Person in reaching its decision. The Independent Person was satisfied that a thorough investigation was undertaken; and agreed with the findings and conclusions reached as detailed within the Investigator’s Report. 

On balance, the Panel found all the complainants and their evidence credible; whereas the Panel found the evidence of Councillor Louise Reecejones to be inconsistent, vague and misleading. The Panel did not therefore find Councillor Reecejones to be credible.

Accordingly the Panel:

1.  accepted the Investigator’s Report;

2.  agreed with all the conclusions of the Investigator as set out at paragraph 10.1 of the Investigator’s Report, namely:

a.  in respect of complainant 1, Tamsin Coates, the Panel found Councillor Reecejones to be in breach of the Code of Conduct in making an unjustified complaint to Tamsin Coates’ employer and pursuing her own personal agenda in her capacity as a councillor.

Councillor Reecejones failed to treat Tamsin Coates with respect and conducted herself contrary to the council's duty to promote and maintain high standards of conduct.

b.  in respect of complainant 2, Jessica Smyth, the Panel found Councillor Reecejones to be in breach of the Code of Conduct in making an unjustified complaint to the organisation for which Jessica Smyth volunteers and alleging that Jessica Smyth’s tweets and conduct amounted to harassment/stalking.

Councillor Reecejones failed to treat Jessica Smyth with respect and conducted herself contrary to the council's duty  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5