Issue - meetings

In accordance with paragraph 2.32 of the Committee Procedural Rules and Appendix 7 to the Rules a total period of 10 minutes is allocated for members of the public to address the Committee on any matter relevant to the work of the body in question.

Individual members of the public may speak for up to 5 minutes but the Chairman or person presiding will decide how the period of time allocated for public speaking will be apportioned where there are a number of speakers. Members of the public are not required to give notice to use this facility. However, as a matter of courtesy, a period of 24 hours’ notice is encouraged.

Members of the public wishing to ask a question at the meeting should provide at least three clear working days’ notice in writing and should include the question with that notice. This will enable an informed answer to be given.

The Chairman read a statement submitted by Mr Graham Goodwin relating to a complaint Mr Goodwin had submitted in March 2019 regarding the conduct of two Members.  Mr Goodwin stated that he had not been informed why the matter was taking so long to be dealt with or what form the investigation process was taking.  Mr Goodwin asked if this was an acceptable timescale or way of dealing with code of conduct complaints.

In response, the Deputy Monitoring Officer responded that code of conduct complaints were dealt with confidentially and she was unable to comment on Mr Goodwin’s complaint.