The Standards Committee will be provided with a report on complaints that were made about the conduct of Councillors in 2023-24. They will also be asked to consider a complaint about Councillor Rockett of Fakenham Town Council.

Determination of Code of Conduct Complaint in Respect of Cllr Rockett of Fakenham Town Council

The Standards Committee will consider whether to uphold allegations about the conduct of Councillor Rockett. If they decide that he has breached the Councillor Code of Conduct, they will then need to decide what, if any, sanction to recommend to Fakenham Town Council. They have been provided with a report that “summarises the issues relating to a Member Code of Conduct Complaint” against Councillor Rockett, which will be considered at a hearing. The report contains an investigation into three allegations about Councillor Rockett’s conduct.

The two allegations relate to the Subject Member: (i) Disrespectful, bullying or abusive behaviour on 22 March 2024 (ii) Sharing confidential information, namely the confidential complaint, with members of the Fakenham Town Council.

The Standards Committee has the power to recommend a number of sanctions to Fakenham Town Council.

If a breach is found, and if a sanction is considered appropriate, any sanction recommended must be reasonable and proportionate. It should be relevant to the Subject Member’s behaviour. Sanctions which may be considered include: Recommendation to the Fakenham Town Council of one or more of the following (i) A report of the Committee’s findings made to the relevant town council (ii) Issue of a formal censure (iii)That the Subject Member makes an apology (iv) Removal from any or all committees (where sits) of the town council (v) Removal from outside appointments (where held) to which he is appointed by the town council (vi) That the Subject Member undertakes specified training (vii) That the town council withdraws facilities provided to the Subject Member for a limited time (viii)That the town member be excluded from the town Council’s offices other than when attending formal meetings With regard to (vii) and (viii) above, any such sanction must not unduly restrict the Member’s ability to perform his duties as an elected member.

Excerpts from the Monitoring Officer's Annual Report

The Committee will receive a report on standards complaints that were dealt with by North Norfolk District Council between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024. The Monitoring Officer's report indicates that 20 Code of Conduct complaints were received during that time, 17 relating to Parish and Town Councils, and 3 relating to the District Council.