To receive apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor John Stone.

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2005. 

RESOLVED (unanimously) that the minutes of the meeting held on 17 June 2005 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the replacement of “Dinedor Parish Council” with “Mathon Parish Council” in Minute 5. 

To receive any declarations of interest by Members in respect of items on the Agenda.

The were no declarations of interest made

To consider the Report of the investigation carried out in accordance with the Local Authorities (Code of Conduct) (Local Determination) Regulations 2003 (as amended) into an allegation that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Ward: Kington Town

The County Secretary and Solicitor presented of an investigation into an allegation that there had been a breach of the Code of Conduct by Councillor M Hussy of Kington Town Council.  The Committee formally noted the legal advice set out in the report.

To consider the Report of the investigation carried out in accordance with the Local Authorities (Code of Conduct) (Local Determination) Regulations 2003 (as amended) into an allegation that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct.

Ward: Bromyard

The County Secretary and Solicitor presented a report of an investigation into an allegation that there had been a breach of the Code of Conduct by Councillor John Lane of Bromyard and Winslow Town Council.  The Committee formally noted the legal advice set out in the report.

RESOLVED:            (unanimously) that under section 100 (A) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public and press be excluded from the meeting for the following items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (other than the Authority)

To consider the Report of the investigation into an allegation that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct

This item discloses information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (other than the Authority)

The Committee considered the report of the County Secretary and Solicitor as Monitoring Officer in respect of the first local investigation to be dealt with by the Council in accordance with the Local Authorities (Code of Conduct) (Local Determinations) Regulations 2003 (as amended).  The investigation was made into an allegation that there had been a breach of the Code of Conduct by Councillor John Lane of Bromyard and Winslow Town Council.

RESOLVED:            (unanimously) that a hearing of the Standards Committee be held on Tuesday 26 July 2005 to consider the matter further

To consider the Report of the investigation into an allegation that there has been a breach of the Code of Conduct

This item discloses information relating to the financial or business affairs of a particular person (other than the Authority)

The Committee considered the report of the County Secretary and Solicitor as Monitoring Officer. The Legal Practice Manager as investigating officer set out the findings from the investigation. 

RESOLVED:            (unanimously) that

(a) there be a finding of acceptance in relation to the Monitoring officer’s finding that there had been no failure to comply with the Code of Conduct in relation to the allegations that

·         there had been a failure to declare an interest in certain land at Kington within the register of interests of the Kington Town Council; and

·         there had been a failure to declare an interest in respect of a parcel of land which he owned at meetings on 7 February 2005 and 21 February 2005

and

(a)               the necessary statutory notices be given

and

(b) a hearing of the Standards Committee be held on Tuesday 26 July 2005 to consider the remaining matters further.