Decision

Complaint Reference-

SC.2025.08

Subject Member-

Councillor X

Council-

Sheffield City Council

Complainant-

Mr B

Date of Decision-

14th May 2026

Breach of Code -

No

I write to inform you of the decision of the Hearing Sub-Committee that considered the Investigators report dated March 2026 into complaint reference, SC.2026.08 regarding a potential breach of the Members Code of Conduct by the subject member.

The meeting followed the Hearing Sub-Committee Procedure that was provided with the agenda and report. 

Sub-Committee Members

Councillors Simon Clement-Jones (Chair), Maroof Raouf, Matthew Dwyer and Fatima Adesanya (Non-Voting independent Co-opted Member)

Officers in attendance

David Hollis, General Counsel and Monitoring Officer.

Sherrie Grant, Deputy Monitoring Officer

Sarah Hyde, Democratic Services Team Manager.

Others

Investigator – VWV Solicitors

Subject Member – Councillor X

As per the Hearing Sub-Committee procedure, the Subject Member and the complainant Mr B were invited to attend the meeting.  The complainant did not attend the meeting.

The investigator outlined his findings of the investigation.  The subject member and Sub-Committee Members were given the opportunity to ask questions of the investigator.

Following consideration of the report presented by the Monitoring Officer and the Investigator, the Sub-Committee determined on the basis set out in the investigation report, that the Subject Member was acting in an official capacity at the time the complaint occurred and therefore the Members’ Code of Conduct does apply.

The Sub-Committee can make any of the following recommendations: -

·       Recommend to Council or to Committees that he/she be removed from any or all Committees or Sub-Committees of the Council and from any external appointments made by the Council.

·       Instruct the Monitoring Officer to arrange training for the member.

·       In a case where the breach relates to use of the Council’s IT systems, that the Member’s access to those systems is withdrawn.

·       That policies/procedures are amended.

·       That a briefing/information note be issued.

·       That an apology be given.

·       That the Member is censured in writing and a copy of the letter is published on the Council’s website.

·       Take no action where it is not considered appropriate in the circumstances to impose a sanction.

Decision

The Sub-Committee decided there was no breach of the Councillor Code of Conduct and therefore take no further action.

Reasons

The Committee agreed with the investigator’s findings.   The Committee found that the conduct complained of arose in the context of political debate on a matter of public interest. In reaching its decision, the Committee recognised that councillors are entitled to enhanced protection for freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, particularly where they are communicating political views to members of the public.

Appeal

There is no right of appeal to the Council against this decision. However, if the complainant feels that we have not dealt with the complaint properly then they can refer it to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman at http://www.lgo.org.uk/make-a-complaint/how-to-complainor phone 0300 061 0614.

Complaint Reference-

SC.2025.09

Subject Member-

Councillor X

Council-

Sheffield City Council

Complainant-

Cllr B and Dr. R

Date of Decision-

14th May 2026

Breach of Code -

No

I write to inform you that the Sub-Committee did not consider the report of the investigator as the subject member Councillor X was no longer an elected member.

Sub-Committee Members

Councillors Simon Clement-Jones (Chair), Maroof Raouf, Matthew Dwyer and Fatima Adesanya (Non-Voting independent Co-opted Member)

Officers in attendance

David Hollis, General Counsel and Monitoring Officer.

Sherrie Grant, Deputy Monitoring Officer

Sarah Hyde, Democratic Services Team Manager.

Others

Investigator – VWV Solicitors

Reasons

The complaint was now not effective and there was no consideration of the details of the complaint.