In accordance with Council Procedure Rule No 10 to consider Motions on notice from Members. Motions must be received in writing or by email to the Monitoring Officer by 12 noon twelve clear working days before the meeting.
One Motion had been submitted by Members.
Motion submitted by Councillor R Shipman
“That Council abhors racism in all its forms and in all circumstances, but accepts that the public do not understand that the Code does not apply to this behaviour in a Councillor’s private life. Because of this conviction, Council agrees that the Chair should write to the Secretary of State asking that the applicability of the Code of Conduct is extended to apply to a Councillor’s private life in addition to their role as a Councillor”.
Minutes:
Council considered a motion moved and seconded by Councillor R Shipman and Councillor D Hancock:
“That Council abhors racism in all its forms and in all circumstances, but accepts that the public do not understand that the Code does not apply to this behaviour in a Councillor’s private life. Because of this conviction, Council agrees that the Chair should write to the Secretary of State asking that the applicability of the Code of Conduct is extended to apply to a Councillor’s private life in addition to their role as a Councillor”.
Members discussed the motion. Councillor R Shipman argued that the Code of Conduct should apply to Councillors at all times when they are acting within a public forum. He referred to instances when inappropriate behaviour had occurred.
The Leader of the Council made clear that he supported the aims of the Motion, but felt that it should cover all forms of discrimination. Councillor A Dale also recognised the high standards that the public expected of their representatives and the confusion which can arise about when they are speaking as private individuals or as elected Members. He felt that clarity should be sought from the Secretary of State on whether the Code of Conduct ought to be extended to apply to a Councillor’s private life, in addition their role as an elected Member, in those instances where this would have a direct impact on the reputation of this Council
Councillor A Dale and Cupit then moved and seconded an amendment to the motion:
That Council: -
· Abhors discrimination in all its forms and in all circumstances.
· Accepts that the public do not always understand that the Code of Conduct does not apply to the behaviour of a Councillor in their private life.
· Believes that Members are entitled to a private life and therefore accepts that the Code of Conduct only applies to Members while they are conducting their role as Councillors.
· But Council agrees that the Chair of Standards Committee should write to the Secretary of State asking whether the applicability of the Code of Conduct should be extended to apply to a Councillor’s private life, in addition their role as a Councillor, in those cases where there is a direct impact on the reputation of this Council
Councillor R Shipman accepted the proposed amendment.
Councillor N Barker indicated that he would be prepared to support the amended motion. He emphasised how difficult it was in practice for the public to differentiate between comments made by Members as Councillors and as private individuals and for this to be clarified.
Councillor J Lilley noted that that everyone should be held accountable to the full extent of the law in cases of discrimination.
Councillor J Barry emphasised that action should be taken if Members brought the Council into disrepute, as it would be taken if the Council’s staff broke their Code of Conduct.
Councillor S Pickering welcomed the amended motion He questioned whether comments made by elected Members on social media could be regarded as private. Councillor J Ridgway suggested that comments made on social media should not be regarded as part of a Councillor’s private life, if they were publically accessible.
Councillor D Hancock acknowledged that all Members of the Council opposed discrimination. He felt that inappropriate behaviour by even one Member could lead to unwarranted reputational damage for the Council and its elected Members as a whole.
Councillor R Shipman made clear that he shared the concerns raised about comments made on social media. The Leader of the Council reminded Members that the amended motion would address this by seeking clarity from the Secretary of State on whether the Code of Conduct should be extended to apply to a Councillor’s private life, in those cases where this would have a direct impact on the reputation of this Council
At the conclusion of the discussion the motion, as amended, was put to the vote and was agreed unanimously.