Misconduct hearing for councillor

DETAILS of allegations of misconduct against a Torbay councillor were being considered at a council hearing behind closed doors yesterday.

The meeting of Torbay Council’s standards hearing sub-committee followed an independent investigation into claims against Liberal Democrat Mark King, who represents the Cockington with Chelston ward.

The hearing was due to consider witness evidence. It was adjourned to October 17 due to non-attendance by Cllr King, a statement from the council said. The press and public were excluded to prevent identities being revealed.

The accusations against Cllr King were described in committee papers as allegations of a breach of the Member Code of Conduct.

The agenda added the hearing was to ‘consider a report and determine what action, if any, should be taken in respect of allegations made against’ Cllr King ‘in accordance with the Local Protocol for Assessment and Determination of Allegations of Breaches of the Members Code of Conduct.’

Cllr King was named in a state- ment by Torbay Council as the subject of a complaint after a preliminary hearing on July 20.

The statement added: “The preliminary hearing determined that the substantive hearing, which will be held on September 18, 2018, will be heard with the press and public excluded from the meeting.

“This is on the grounds that the meeting will likely disclose exempt information in accordance with the Local Government Act 1972, namely information relating to an individual and information likely to reveal the identity of an individual.

“In accordance the Freedom of Information Act 2000, the Committee determined that the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.

“While upholding the rights of the individuals concerned in this case it is also important that the public, when deciding to make a complaint, are confident that complaints of a sensitive nature can, and will, be held in private. Whilst the hearing will be held in private a detailed decision notice will be released by Friday, September 28, 2018.”

Cllr King did not respond to inquires made by a Herald reporter.