The Ombudsman received 2 complaints that a member (“the Member”) of Welshpool Town Council (“the Town Council”) had breached the Code of Conduct.
It was alleged by another Member of the Town Council (the first complaint) that the Member had behaved in a way which was bullying and disrespectful towards others and failed to demonstrate positive leadership, which reflected badly on him and the Town Council.
It was alleged by the Former Clerk to the Town Council (the second complaint) that the Member had been suspended from his position with the Football Association of Wales (“FAW”) for inappropriate behaviour towards a female, and that ensuing publicity about the matter had brought his office as a member, and the Town Council, into disrepute.
The investigations considered whether the Member failed to comply with the following provisions of the Code of Conduct:
- 4(b) – You must show respect and consideration for others.
- 4(c) – You must not use bullying behaviour or harass any person.
- 6(1)(a) – You must not conduct yourself in a manner which could reasonably be regarded as bringing your office or authority into disrepute.
With regard to the first complaint, the Ombudsman concluded that the Member’s conduct fell short of the standards expected of elected members and was suggestive of a breach of paragraphs 4(b), 4(c) and 6(1)(a) of the Code of Conduct.
With regard to the second complaint, the Ombudsman concluded that the Member’s engagement with the press and the surrounding publicity, were likely to have brought his office as a member and his authority into disrepute and therefore suggestive of a breach of paragraph 6(1)(a) of the Code of Conduct.
Our finding, under section 69 of the Local Government Act 2000, was that our report on our investigations be referred to the Monitoring Officer of Powys County Council for consideration by its Standards Committee.
The Standards Committee found that the Member had failed to comply with the paragraphs 4(b), 4(c) and 6(1)(a) of the Code concerning the first complaint and paragraph 6(1)(a) concerning the second complaint. Its sanction was to censure the Member.
This decision is subject to appeal.