The Ombudsman received a complaint that a member (“the Member”) of Conwy Town Council (“the Town Council”) and Conwy County Borough Council (“the Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct (“the Code”). It was alleged that the Member deliberately included incorrect information about Council enforcement action in a representation (“the Objection”) she made to the Council regarding the Complainant’s ongoing planning application (“the Planning Application”).
The Ombudsman’s Office started an investigation to consider paragraphs 6(1)(a) (disrepute) and 7(a) (misuse of position) of the Code. Information was obtained from the Council and the Town Council, including documents concerning the Planning Application and the Council’s planning, consultation, decision process, and enforcement matters.
The investigation found the information the Member included in her Objection was correct, and the action taken by the Member in respect of making representations on the Planning Application were actions she was entitled to take. The investigation also found that the Member’s Objection did not impact the outcome of the Planning Application and it was ultimately approved. It was concluded that there was no evidence to suggest a failure to comply with the Code.