Documents for Standards Hearing Panel meeting into complaint about Mr. Denis Knowles.
Agenda
Page 1 of 1
Standards Hearing Panel
Date: Tuesday, 24 January 2012
Time: 9.30 am
Venue: Committee Room 3 – Wallasey Town Hall
Contact Officer: Shirley Hudspeth
Tel: 0151 691 8559
e-mail: shirleyhudspeth@wirral.gov.uk
Website:
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AGENDA
1. MEMBERS’ CODE OF CONDUCT – DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members of the Panel are invited to consider whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in connection with any of the items of business on the agenda and, if so, declare it and state the nature of such interest.
2. EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC
RECOMMENDATION:
That, under section 100 (A) (4) of the Local Government Act 1972, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of the following item of business on the grounds that it involves the likely disclosure of exempt information as defined by the relevant paragraphs of Part I of Schedule 12A to that Act. The Public Interest test has been applied and favours exclusion at this time, however, the Panel will consider the continuation of the exclusion at the meeting.
3. COMPLAINT AGAINST A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL (Pages 1 – 24)
To hear and make a determination on allegation that a Member of the
Council has failed to comply with the Members’ Code of Conduct.
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 1 of 7
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 2 of 7
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 3 of 7
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 4 of 7
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 5 of 7
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 6 of 7
Agenda Item 3 Report of the Monitoring Officer Page 7 of 7
Standards for England guidance on blogging (online version)
Appendix 2 Page 1 of 2 Email from Marianne Duncan on behalf of Bill Norman to Rosemary A Lyon (16/9/2010 13:43) and email from Cllr Denis T Knowles to Bill D Norman (30/3/2010 17:48)
NOT FOR PUBLICATION Page 1 of 1
Appendix 2 TO INVESTIGATING OFFICER’S REPORT
Lyon, Rosemary A.
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From: Duncan, Marianne on behalf of Norman, Bill D.
Sent: 16 September 2010 13:43
To: Lyon, Rosemary A
Subject: FW: Code of conduct
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Confidential
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From: Knowles, Denis T. (Councillor)
Sent: 30 March 2010 17:48
To: Norman, Bill, D.
Subject: Code of conduct
Importance: High
Sensitivity: Confidential
Hi Bill,
I am truly appalled and horrified to have possibly brought the council into disrepute by something that I have posted on a social network site and for my own piece of mind I would like to give you notification that I intend to report myself to the Standards Committee for investigation.
I will email you my official request in the morning.
Yours sincerely,
Denis
Councillor Denis Knowles
Conservative Councillor for Seacombe Ward
Wirral Borough Council
Tel: 0151 639 7104
Mob: 07796 684428
Email: denisknowles@wirral.gov.uk
Blog: www.seacombe.info
Tweets by mervira
16/9/10 Page 24
Appendix 2 Page 2 of 2 Email from Marianne Duncan on behalf of Bill Norman to Rosemary A Lyon (16/9/2010 13:44) and email from Cllr Denis T Knowles to Bill D Norman (31/3/2010 16:32)
NOT FOR PUBLICATION
Lyon, Rosemary A.
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From: Duncan, Marianne on behalf of Norman, Bill D.
Sent: 16 September 2010 13:44
To: Lyon, Rosemary A
Subject: FW: request
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From: Knowles, Denis T. (Councillor)
Sent: 31 March 2010 16:32
To: Norman, Bill, D.
Subject: request
Dear Mr. Norman,
You will probably be aware of the furore surrounding a comment I made on my Facebook site which, to my total dismay, appears to have spiralled out of all proportion. I removed said comment immediately as soon as I became aware that it could be construed as offensive.
I also immediately posted an apology for any distress I may have caused. You will also be aware that I have been suspended locally by my political party, pending an investigation.
I feel that it is important to protect myself and Wirral Council from any breeches of the code we work to and specifically in relation to equality matters, which my lapse might bring to and a charge of disrepute against me.
I would therefore ask you to accept my request to report myself to the Councils Standards Committee for assessment. I will gladly submit myself to the Committee for advice and support in this matter including a willingness to undergo further training, if required, to help alleviate any further embarrassment or lapses on my part.
I sincerely regret the undesirable bad publicity that has accrued to date in connection with my comments.
Yours sincerely,
Councillor Denis Knowles
Councillor for Seacombe Ward
Wirral Borough Council
Tel: 0151 639 7104
Mob: 07796 684428
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