Agenda and minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2020.

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 September 2020 were confirmed and signed.

To disclose any pecuniary, other registrable or non-registrable interests as set out in the adopted Code of Conduct. In making their disclosure councillors are asked to state the agenda item, the nature of the interest and any action they propose to take as part of their declaration.

If required, further advice should be sought from the Monitoring Officer in advance of the meeting.

No declarations of disclosable pecuniary interests were made at the meeting.

To receive questions or statements on the business of the committee from town and parish councils and members of the public.

There were no public questions or statements.

To consider any items of business which the Chairman has had prior notification and considers to be urgent pursuant to section 100B (4) b) of the Local Government Act 1972. The reason for the urgency shall be recorded in the minutes.

There were no urgent items.

To move the exclusion of the press and the public for the following item in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The public and the press will be asked to leave the meeting whilst the item of business is considered.

Proposed by Cllr Les Fry, Seconded by Mr Iain McVie

Decision

That the press and the public be excluded for the following item(s) in view of the likely disclosure of exempt information within the meaning of paragraph 3 of schedule 12 A to the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

The Sub-committee was convened to establish whether the decision taken by the Monitoring Officer (OPCC), following a complaint from a member of the public, had been managed correctly and in accordance with the PCP Complaints Protocol. 

The Sub-committee considered:

·       Written communication to the complainant and PCC. 

·       Any written evidence of an informal resolution. 

·       Any further written comments from the complainant and the PCC submitted to the Sub-Committee.

·       Any reasons for the IOPC referring a complaint back to the Dorset Police and Crime Panel, so that these could be challenged if required.

·       Whether to invite the PCC to attend a subsequent meeting to answer questions about the complaint.

Decision:

1)    Not to uphold the complaint.

2)    That, with the exclusion of the timelines, the complaint had been managed correctly, with due diligence and in accordance with the Complaints Protocol.

3)    That a letter outlining the outcome from consideration of the complaint together with lessons learnt be sent to the complainant in accordance with the 5 working day response following the meeting.

4)    That the complaints protocol be re-drafted to ensure all PCP complaint

timelines be brought in line with those of the Host Authority (Dorset Council).

5)    That the complainant will be informed of his right to appeal to the Complaints Ombudsman if he is not satisfied with the panel decisions.