ASSESSMENT SUB-COMMITTEE

MINUTES of a meeting of the Assessment Sub-Committee held in the Room CC1, County Hall, Lewes on 19 March 2025.

PRESENT Councillors Godfrey Daniel (Chair), Colin Belsey and David Tutt

1. APPOINTMENT OF CHAIR

1.1       It was RESOLVED that Councillor Daniel be appointed as the Chair of the meeting.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2.1       No apologies for absence were received.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

3.1       No interests were declared.

4. URGENT ITEMS

4.1       There were no urgent items.

5. EXCLUSION OF PUBLIC AND PRESS

5.1       It was RESOLVED to exclude the press and public from the meeting during consideration of Items 6 and 7 on the grounds that it is likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraph 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 namely information relating to any individual

5.2       In making its decision, the Sub-Committee confirmed that, having regard to all circumstances, it is satisfied that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

6. COMPLAINT SC.001.25

6.1 The Assessment Sub-Committee considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive regarding complaint SC.001.25. The report set out the alleged misconduct by the Subject Member and which paragraphs of the Code of Conduct the complainant believed were breached. 

6.2 In considering the complaint, and in addition to the evidence supplied by the complainant, the Assessment Sub-Committee had regard to the Local Assessment of Complaints about Member Conduct, the Standards Committee Assessment Criteria adopted by the County Council and the views of the Independent Person.  

6.3  The Assessment Sub-Committee considered whether the Code of Conduct was engaged. The Sub-Committee agreed that in the circumstance of the case, the Code of Conduct was engaged. 

6.4 The discussion regarding the case SC.001.25 is detailed in an exempt minute.

DECISIONS

6.5    The Assessment Sub-Committee RESOLVED to agree:

(1) The Code of Conduct had not been beached by the Subject Member and that no further action should be taken in respect of the allegations;

(2) The Decision Notice should be sent to the Complainant and the Subject Member; and

(3) The Decision Notice should not be published publicly.

REASONS

6.6       The reasons for decision (1) are set out in the Decision Notice.

7.         COMPLAINT SC.002.25

7.1 The Assessment Sub-Committee considered a report by the Deputy Chief Executive regarding complaint SC.002.25. The report set out the alleged misconduct by the Subject Member and which paragraph of the Code of Conduct the complainant believed were breached. 

7.2   In considering the complaint, and in addition to the evidence supplied by the complainant, the Assessment Sub-Committee had regard to the Local Assessment of Complaints about Member Conduct, the Standards Committee Assessment Criteria adopted by the County Council and the views of the Independent Person.

7.3       The Assessment Sub-Committee considered whether the Code of Conduct was engaged. The Sub-Committee agreed that in the circumstance of the case, the Code of Conduct was engaged. 

7.4       The discussion regarding the case SC.002.25 is detailed in an exempt minute.

DECISIONS

7.5     The Assessment Sub-Committee RESOLVED to agree:

(1)   The Code of Conduct had not been beached by the Subject Member  and that no further action should be taken in respect of the allegations;

(2)   The Decision Notice should be sent to the Complainant and the Subject Member; and

(3)   The Decision Notice should not be published publicly.

REASONS

7.6       The reasons for decision (1) are set out in the Decision Notice.