Report of the Monitoring Officer

The subject of the decision:

The Deputy Monitoring Officer reported that notification had been received that the complainee and one of the complainants were unable to attend the reconvened hearing.  The parties had confirmed they would all able to attend a hearing on 15 May 2017.

Alternative options considered:

The Panel considered whether to continue in the absence of the relevant parties, however, the Panel concluded that to do so would not be in the interests of holding a fair hearing.

The reason for the decision:

The Panel considered the Deputy Monitoring Officer’s verbal report and concluded that, in the interests of having a fair hearing and for all relevant parties to have the opportunity to attend and present their cases, the meeting would be formally closed and the matter relisted.  The Panel noted the importance of having the matter dealt with in a timely manner and it further noted that if the parties were no longer able to attend on 15 May 2017 it was always open to the Panel to consider at that time whether it was appropriate to proceed in their absence.

THE DECISION:

That the Panel formally close the meeting to enable the matter to be relisted and considered at a meeting of the Panel on 15 May 2017.

Report of the Monitoring Officer

The subject of the decision:

The Panel considered an application from the Town Council Member seeking an adjournment.  The Town Council Member told the Panel that due the hearing starting later than had been anticipated his representative had been unable to stay and that he was not adequately prepared to represent himself. 

Alternative options considered:

The Panel considered whether to continue in the absence of the Town Council Member’s representative however the Panel concluded that to do so would not be in the interests of holding a fair hearing.  

The reason for the decision:

The Panel concluded that, in the interests of holding a fair hearing and to enable the Town Council Member to make appropriate arrangements for his representation or to adequately prepare to represent himself, the meeting would be adjourned.

THE DECISION:

That Panel concluded the matter should be adjourned to a date and time to be confirmed.