Transcript

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Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Ethical Governance and Personnel Committee. My name's Councillor Anne Pann debris, and I'll be chairing this meeting. Becky, have we got any apologies? Since the dispatch of the agenda, Council has agreed new memberships. So, change to the agenda. Councillor O'Shea is no longer a member of the Committee and Councillor Green is a member. In addition to that, Councillor Bray is substituting for Councillor Hoelek, Councillor Maloney if a Councillor can't write and say Councillor Sutton for Councillor Harris. Thank you, Becky. So, minutes of the previous meeting, have we had a chance to look at this? Is everyone happy that it's an accurate record? [ Pause ] It talks about somebody seconding the complaint, first paragraph, somebody seconding the complaint, and according to the front page, that one's been, that Councillor was substituted. It doesn't make sense. I think Becky's going to check it and get it corrected. Other than that, are there any other issues? So, subject to that being changed, would somebody like to propose? Happy to move that chair. Thank you. And Councillor Joyce Crooks is seconding. [ Pause ] No, we haven't. Not tonight. Thank you, Maureen. [ Pause ] Item three, additional urgent business. Is there any additional urgent business, Becky? Thank you. So, item four, declarations of interest. Do we have any declarations of interest? [ Pause ] Councillor Cook. Do we have to declare Chris Boothway, who was a Conservative member that we're Conservative with? No, okay, thank you. Don't think that's an issue, is it? No. Thank you for raising it, I. Item five, questions. Are there any questions? Becky? No. Thank you. Item six, complaints policy. Am I right in thinking you're presenting this one to us, Becky? Thank you. So, the housing ombudsman and the local government of social care ombudsman has issued new complaint handling codes. The housing ombudsman code, which is for complaints about the Councillor's landlord, is statutory and that came into force on the 1st of April, 2024. The local government of social care ombudsman code is guidance that we're expected to have in regard to when we're dealing with complaints. And we're expected to be compliant with that by 1st of April, 2025. We've implemented changes to our complaints process in relation to complaints against the Councillor's landlord to meet the 1st of April, 2024 deadline. And have now drafted this new policy, which meets the requirements of both codes. And we intend to implement it immediately for all complaints, despite the April, 2025 deadline for the non-lalord complaints. The key changes to the way we handle complaints are set out in paragraph 3.4 of the report. Most of the changes relate to the timelines for acknowledging and responding to complaints and the content of the annual report and the type of information we have to feedback to the ombudsman. In addition, we have to appoint a member responsible for complaints who we have to also report to regularly. We're recommending that this be the executive member for corporate services as complaints is already within their portfolio. I won't go over the list of changes unless you want me to. It's all in the report. If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them. Thank you, Becky. We shall now debate the item. We have the report, Chair. Thank you. Does anyone wish to make any comments? Becky, do you want to come back on it? No, thank you. So Councillor Bray has moved and Councillor Crook has seconded. Could all those in favour please raise their hands? The item is moved and the item is moved. So I make that now. Item 7, any other items of business which the Chair decides to have to be dealt with as matter of urgency, I've got nothing. So item 8, I believe I've got to read this in full. To consider the passing of a resolution under section 100A4 of the Local Government Act in 1972 excluding the public from the under mentioned items of business on the grounds that they involve the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined in paragraphs 1 and 10 of Schedule 12A of the 1972 Act. Could we have someone nominating that we go into private session? Thank you, Councillor Bray and Councillor Crook. Everyone in favour please raise your hands. Item is so moved. Thank you, Becky. Thank you to all those watching online. We will now go into private session. [BLANKAUDIO] [BLANKAUDIO]