Councillor did breach code of conduct, standards panel rules
A FILTON town councillor lost his temper during a heated council debate, a hearing was told.
Roger Hutchinson was shouting and bawling and slammed the table with his hand, a panel of South Gloucestershire Council's Standards Committee heard yesterday.
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They decided Mr Hutchinson breached a code of conduct for failing to treat fellow councillors with respect. But they did not impose any sanction against him as they concluded that other councillors behaved in the same manner at the meeting on November 25, 2008.
Mr Hutchinson, a long-serving Labour councillor, alleged he had been singled out for political reasons.
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Under discussion at the council meeting had been the setting up of a working party to look into the running of the Ratepayers' Arms, a controversial town council-owned pub in the leisure complex at Elm Park.
The council chairman at the time was another Labour town councillor, Terry Pomroy, who had grave concerns about the way the pub was run because it lost so much money.
Mr Hutchinson also breached the code for failing to declare an interest in the town council's controversial cycle speedway track when it was discussed at a meeting in May, 2006.
But again, the panel decided no sanction was appropriate as Mr Hutchinson had admitted the breach and apologised. He had also since updated the council's register of interests.
The findings were made by the panel after a nine-hour hearing in Thornbury, which also heard an allegation that Mr Hutchinson used foul and abusive language. The panel decided this claim was unfounded and it was dropped.
Afterwards, Mr Hutchinson, who also sits on South Gloucestershire Council, said he was "utterly relieved". He said he had lived with the accusations for 15 months and now felt vindicated by the panel's decision. He said it had not put him off serving as a councillor and was standing as a candidate in the May's local elections. He also hopes to stand as a town councillor.
Labour town councillor Adam Monk, who gave evidence at the hearing and was alleged to be the victim of the abusive language, said he respected the panel's decision.
The complaints were brought by Mr Pomroy and his wife, Helen, who have since moved to the Cotswolds. Mr Pomroy told the panel he did not submit his complaint until 13 months after the council meeting, partly because of an internal inquiry by his party. He said on several occasions council meetings were so badly behaved, he had to threatened to close them.
He said: "You expect some banter during heated debates but not swearing like this."
Mr Hutchinson categorically denied using foul language as alleged.
Panel chairman Mrs Phylida Pyper said: "We've noted the problems of the town council and would advise that many could have been avoided by an on-going review of their standing orders." She listed several procedural measures which should be taken to ensure smoother running of the council.
Comments
by weneedavoice, Filton
Friday, February 11 2011, 6:58PM
“Seems to be the general feeling that all the current council should resign.
The people of Filton should vote for a whole new group of councillors.
So who among the writers here and the people of Filton are willing to stand? If we deserve new and proper representation, from whence will it come?”
by Margaret, Filton
Wednesday, February 09 2011, 4:50PM
“http://www.filton.co.nr/”
by Legal eagle, Filton
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 1:39PM
“On the point of declaring an interest I have it on very good authority that:
You have a prejudicial interest if the body you represent (not just personally) will benefit financially. also if a member of the public who is conversant with the facts, believes you cannot act impartially.
In this case Councillor Hutchinson had a prejudical interest as the body he was representing, was the cycle club, who were to benefit financially in the shape of the new cycle track. He should in fact have not been part of the voting process.The club benefited financially and continued to do so using the track free for four years. he in fact continued to vote on the charging of the track, when he should not,as again they benefited financially. This was now when he had become treasurer.
I don't know where he gets his facts from but he's certainly misunderstanding them to provide an advantage to his club which is morally wrong. The devil is in the detail.”
by Vote for change!, May 2011
Tuesday, February 08 2011, 9:04AM
“
”
by Tom, FiltonSouth Glos
Monday, February 07 2011, 6:28PM
“Now we have the very same councillors trying to syphon off our money for another project (Conygre house)
when you look up the Conygre house website it tells you its been taken down because of outstanding invoices!
Stinks doesn't it...I think I smell B***S****”
by Gerry, Bristol
Monday, February 07 2011, 10:54AM
“Sounds like the people of Filton get the councillors that they so richly deserve.....”
by Legal Eagle, Filton
Monday, February 07 2011, 10:49AM
“I understand all documents are to be made public on the South Glos website..once available Im sure the link will be publicised to ensure everyone can read the details and make up their own minds.
I would urge anyone who finds this type of councillor behaviour offensive to complain email southwest@new.labour.org.uk
You have a choice, you dont have to accept this conduct from your representatives.”
by jbrumpole, Filton
Monday, February 07 2011, 10:41AM
“Well that`s it then case over !!
Draw a line under this matter once and for all and move on - The case is over and the verdict has been reached by the legal judiciary.
Labouring on this case or continuing to attack or bait the defendant will not achieve anything !!
You are behaving like a lynch mob!!
You have had your moment of glory if that is what you want to call it !!
Case dismissed !!”
by Dean, Filton
Monday, February 07 2011, 10:28AM
“The previous article about this stated that this councillor "had nothing to hide" and yet takes the very steps to keep all the details from us all? Why?
If nothing to hide lets hear the lot and make up our own minds.
Local Labour are on a serious downer if they now allow a councillor who breaches the code of conduct to run in May. Political suicide.”
by Brian, Filton
Sunday, February 06 2011, 10:00PM
“If only the public has been in attendance back in the day, there would have been plenty of witnesses...
At least with know what we have for councillors now...job done.”