Date: 10/06/2008
The Standards Committee has suspended Councillor Ivan Bell - the ward member for Old Glossop - for three months for failing to treat an officer with respect and for bullying her.
The Council's Standards Committee meeting on June 6, 2008, heard that the Council's Monitoring Officer, Rosemary Stafford had made an allegation of complaint against Councillor Bell because of his behaviour, in relation to one of the Council's officers on three separate occasions:
It was alleged that Councillor Bell had undermined and humiliated one of the Council's officers, contrary to the Council's code of conduct paragraphs 3(1), obligation to treat others with respect, and 3(2)(b) obligation not to bully any person.
The Standards Board for England investigated the allegations and were represented at the hearing.
The Panel found that on June 12, 2007, Councillor Bell treated the officer with disrespect, as there was no justification for his angry and aggressive behaviour towards her, and, by his own admission, he exaggerated anger. The Panel found this to be unacceptable behaviour, contrary to paragraph 3(1) of the Council's code of conduct.
In relation to Councillor Bell's email of July 10, 2007, the Panel found that he had no reason to name the officer, it was belittling and an unwarranted attack on her and her professional capabilities. He was trying to expose her as an individual and, in doing that, it was unreasonable, demeaning and would clearly cause embarrassment. Accordingly, the Panel found the behaviour was both treating her with disrespect and bullying behaviour contrary to paragraphs 3(1) and 3(2)(b).
The Panel also found that Councillor Bell's conduct at the training session on July 25, 2007, was unacceptable. It was consistent and relentless. His language was totally unacceptable. Other Councillors tried to get him to modify his behaviour but he would not.
The Panel did not accept that Councillor Bell could not see that he was causing distress to the officer concerned. From the very outset, Councillor Bell's behaviour belittled and systematically humiliated the officer, in front of all those present.
For all those reasons, not only did he fail to treat the officer with respect but his behaviour also amounted to bullying, contrary to paragraphs 3(1) and 3(2)(b).
The Panel considered the representations made by Councillor Bell and a representative of the Standards Board for England. They directed that Councillor Bell be suspended for a period of three months from September 1, 2008.
The Panel also required Councillor Bell to undertake training on a one-to-one basis with High Peak Borough Council's Monitoring Officer on the Code of Conduct at a time convenient to the Monitoring Officer and by no later than December 1, 2008.
Councillor Bell has the right to appeal against the decision, 21 days after receiving the full decision of the Panel.
All elected Councillors of High Peak Borough Council sign up to the Code of Conduct when they are elected to office. It is the responsibility of all Councillors to abide by the Code when acting as a Councillor or representative of the Council.
A copy of the Council's Code of Conduct can be viewed at www.highpeak.gov.uk/council/constitution2007/5/code.asp.