The Member Conduct Panel of Leicestershire County Council met on Thursday, 29 January 2026, to consider two complaints made under the Members' Code of Conduct. The panel resolved that Complaint A would be referred for 'other action', requiring the elected member to make a public apology and attend training. For Complaint B, the panel decided to refer the matter for a full investigation.

Complaint A under the Members' Code of Conduct

The panel considered an exempt report from the Monitoring Officer regarding Complaint A. This complaint was made under Part 5A of Leicestershire County Council's Constitution, which outlines the Members' Code of Conduct. The report detailed the initial assessment of the complaint and the options available to the panel.

Before discussing the complaint, Councillor Andrew Innes CC raised a concern about the process for appointing members to the panel, noting that a previously approached member had sought a substitute due to potential perceptions of bias. The Monitoring Officer, Fiona McMillan, confirmed her satisfaction with the appointment process but agreed to consider such issues for future appointments.

Following the Monitoring Officer's presentation and questions from the panel, Mr Gordon Grimes, an independent person, was welcomed to the meeting. Mr Grimes shared his views on the complaint, emphasising its seriousness.

The panel resolved to note the early assessment report. They also decided that Complaint A would be referred for 'other action'. This requires the elected member against whom the complaint was made to make a public apology to the complainant, acknowledge the seriousness of the complaint and the disregard for expected standards, and confirm their respect for the Council's Code of Conduct. Additionally, the member must attend training on the Code of Conduct and the Protocol on Member/Officer Relations. The panel stipulated that if the member fails to undertake these actions within a reasonable timeframe, the matter would be referred back for further consideration.

Complaint B under the Members' Code of Conduct

The panel then turned its attention to Complaint B, also made under the Members' Code of Conduct. An exempt report from the Monitoring Officer was considered, outlining the initial assessment of this complaint and the available procedural options.

The Monitoring Officer presented her report and answered questions from the panel. Mr Richard Gough, another independent person, was invited to the meeting and, at the panel's request, outlined his views on Complaint B.

The panel resolved to note the early assessment report for Complaint B. They further decided that the complaint would be referred for investigation, with the investigator instructed to consider all information shared with the panel, including any correspondence that has arisen since the complaint was initially made.

The meeting was chaired by Dr Sarah Hill CC, with Councillor Andrew Innes CC, Councillor David Page CC, Councillor Bill Piper CC, and Councillor James Poland CC also in attendance. Mrs J. Twomey was the contact person for the meeting. The proceedings were held in the Gartree Committee Room at County Hall, Glenfield. The public were excluded from the meeting for the consideration of both complaints due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to individuals, as defined by paragraphs 1 and 10 of Part I of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972.

The public reports pack for this meeting can be found here. The agenda was published here, and the printed minutes are available here.