Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th February 2025and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED: that the minutes for the Committee meeting on 10^th Februaray 2025 be approved and signed as a correct record.

To consider the report of the Executive Director Growth and Prosperity providing an overview and update on the Southampton Renaissance Board.

The Committee received and noted the report of the Cabinet Member for Economic Development providing an overview and update on the Southampton Renaissance Board and the benefits of Southampton City Council’s role on the Board.  The Committee also noted the Terms of Reference for the Board and referred to the section on “Deputations at Meetings” which would need some clarification or review as meetings of the Board are not held in public which did not fit with the criteria of being able to make a deputation.

The Committee further noted that any future updates on changes to the Board structure and its operation would be provided to Governance Committee and Cabinet as required.

NOTE: Councillor Denness declared a non-pecuniary interest and remained in the meeting.

To consider the report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer summarising the outcome of a complaint in relation to a breach of the Code of Conduct by a Member of the Council.

The Committee considered the report of the Deputy Monitoring Officer detailing a Member Conduct Complaint.

RESOLVED:

(i)  That following a detailed investigation into the events at, during and following the Council meeting on 18th September 2024, an independent investigation commissioned by the Council’s Deputy Monitoring Officer had concluded that Councillor Rob Harwood had breached Sections 1(a) and 1(b) of the Council’s Code of Conduct for Members in relation to a comment posted on LinkedIn as set out in the report be noted;

(ii)  That following receipt of the Investigation report, Councillor Rob Harwood, at his own instigation, offered to resolve the matter by way of retraction of the comment, an apology to Mr Travers and an offer to meet to ‘clear the air’ be noted. The Deputy Monitoring Officer assessed that offer in accordance with the Code of Conduct, Investigation procedure and Constitution and under the authority delegated to them agreed, following consultation with the complainant, to accept that offer as an alternative to proceeding to a full standard Sub -Committee hearing on the matter for the reasons set out at paragraph 2 below;

(iii)  That the independent Investigator’s recommendation that the Council consider adopting the LGA Model Code of Conduct be noted and endorsed to be taken forward as part of the national review of Members Code of Conduct; and  

(iv)  That the wider learning points arising from this complaint set out in paragraph 17 of the report be noted and endorsed to be taken forward for consideration as part of the wider Council Governance Review that was currently ongoing to determine how they may best be addressed going forward.